Development and Validation of a Short Form for the Multidimensional Co-Parenting Scale for Dissolved Relationships (MCS-DR12)

ABSTRACT

Using two independent samples, this study validated a 12-item short form of the Multidimensional Co-Parenting Scale for Dissolved Relationships (MCS-DR12). Findings supported the identified three-item subscales: Support, Overt Conflict, Self-Controlled Covert Conflict, and Externally-Controlled Covert Conflict. In a sample of parents participating in divorce education, confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the factor structure and second order factor of co-parenting quality. In the second, more diverse sample, subscale factor structures were confirmed but the second order factor of co-parenting quality did not fit; further analysis revealed differences in criterion validity based on divorce status. Considerations about use with diverse populations are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Co-parenting
• measurement
• divorce
• conflict
• support
• divorce education
• short form

Disclosure statement

The authors attest there are no conflicts of interest. All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Kansas State University Small Research Grant Program [N/A]; Vandermark Foundation [F08067].