Understanding the Parental Stress Scale With a Foster Carer Cohort

Abstract

Objective Using a cohort of foster and kin carers, the research examined the underlying factor structure of the Parental Stress Scale (PSS; Berry & Jones, 1995). A hypothesized underlying two‐dimensional theoretical model was explored. Background With the growing demands on the foster care system, including poor retention and recruitment of foster carers, there is an urgent need to explore the positive and negative factors that may influence carers continued engagement in the role. Method The factor structure of the PSS was examined in a sample of foster and kin carers in Australia (N = 324). The PSS consists of 10 statements addressing stressful aspects of parenting and eight statements addressing satisfying aspects of parenting. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) explored the underlying theoretical structure of the scale as determined by the developers. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to confirm whether four factors would sustain reduction to a two‐dimensional (satisfaction–stress) model. Results EFA and CFA supported a two‐dimensional moderately correlated model measuring parent stress and parent satisfaction. The Parent Stress Index IV Short Form provided concurrent validity for the PSS stress subscale and previous analyses have also identified the strength of these dimensions over time, cohorts, and contexts. Conclusion The current study supports using the subscale scores in research with foster carers and potentially other populations to better capture both stress and rewards and satisfaction related to their parenting role. Implications Application of the PSS subscales can assess interactions or moderating effects of parenting in specific cohorts, making the PSS a valuable instrument to examine the balance between stress and reward for parents, foster parents and others who are “parenting” children.

The Parental Stress Scale: Psychometric Properties in Pediatric Hospital Emergency Setting

“…The CFA shows that the Spanish scale retains the structure determined in the EFA by the authors who validated it in 2007, and the fit indices that were obtained in this study are adequate. Although the original scale that was developed by Berry and Jones [ 2 ] consists of four factors (“Parental Stressors”, “Lack of Control”, “Parental Satisfaction”, and “Parental Rewards”), internationally there is inconsistency between the factors that were obtained in the process of adapting the instrument, with two main factors (“Parental Satisfaction” and “Parental Stressors”) being commonly identified [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Only three studies were found in which the original tetra-factorial structure was confirmed with good statistical fit [ 34 , 37 , 38 ].…”

“…Only three studies were found in which the original tetra-factorial structure was confirmed with good statistical fit [ 34 , 37 , 38 ]. This factorial inconsistency could be explained by Pontoppidan et al [ 39 ] and Harding et al [ 35 ], who argue that the tetra-factorial model appears to be a subdivision of two primary factors, whereby the “Parental Stressors” and “Lack of Control” factors make up the “Parental Stressors” factor, while the “Parental Satisfaction” and “Parental Rewards” factors make up the “Parental Satisfaction” factor. An analysis of the scientific literature suggests that the different settings and populations in which the scale has been validated affect the stability of the items and the presence of the different factors [ 15 ].…”

Sociodemographic predictors of parenting stress among caregivers in disadvantaged settings: evidence from Kenya and Zambia

“…Studies on the validity and reliability of the PSS tool indicate good internal consistency (Algarvio et (Berry & Jones, 1995) and convergent validity was reported between PSS scores and parental anxiety and family functioning (Zelman & Ferro, 2018). Whereas a positive concurrent validity was reported between PSS and perceived stress scale and parenting stress index (Berry & Jones, 1995;Harding et al, 2020).…”

Sociodemographic predictors of parenting stress among mothers in disadvantaged settings: evidence from rural and urban study sites in Kenya and Zambia

“…Studies on the validity and reliability of PSS tools indicate good internal consistency, construct validity, convergent validity, and test-retest reliability [29][30][31][32][33][34]. Notably, Cronbach's alpha coe cient for the internal consistency of the items in the Parental Stress Scale was 0.79.…”