Scale Analysis

The Parental Attitudes Toward Use of Aggression (PATU) scale is a tool used to measure parents’ views regarding the use of physical aggression as a means of disciplining their children. The scale was developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in the early 1990s. It is a self-report measure that assesses the extent to which parents believe that physical aggression is an appropriate and effective disciplinary method.

Objective

The purpose of this scale is to record parents’ attitudes toward the use of aggression.

Question Scoring

The PATU-10 Scale consists of 10 items, each rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.”

Validity and Reliability

Research has shown that the PATU scale is a reliable and valid measure of parental attitudes toward the use of physical aggression. Findings indicate that higher scores on the scale are associated with more favorable attitudes toward using physical aggression for discipline.

References

Arthur, M. W., Hawkins, J. D., Pollard, J. A., Catalano, R. F., & Baglioni, A. J. (2002). Measuring risk and protective factors for substance use, delinquency, and other adolescent problem behaviors: The Communities That Care Youth Survey. Evaluation Review, 26(6), 575–601.

Attar, B. K., Guerra, N. G., & Tolan, P. H. (1994). Neighborhood disadvantage, stressful life events, and adjustment in urban elementary-school children. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 23(4), 391–400.

Bjerregaard, B., & Smith, C. A. (1993). Gender differences in gang participation, delinquency, and substance use. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 9, 329–355.

Dodge, K. A., Pettit, G. S., & Bates, J. E. (1994). Socialization mediators of the relation between socioeconomic status and child conduct problems. Child Development, 65, 649–665.letin, 128(4), 539-579