Description

The Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS) is a psychometric tool designed to assess the quality and characteristics of the cooperative relationship between parents who share child-rearing responsibilities. This scale focuses on the interactions and collaboration of parents in matters related to parenting and child support.

Purpose

The purpose of the CRS is to provide a reliable and valid measurement of the coparenting relationship between parents, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The scale can be used to:
Evaluate the quality of the coparenting relationship, including communication, support, and joint decision-making.
Identify problems or conflicts in the parenting partnership to guide the development of intervention strategies.
Examine the impact of the coparenting relationship on child well-being and overall family dynamics.

Analysis

Analysis of responses to the CRS involves evaluating answers to a series of statements related to the coparenting relationship. Responses are typically rated on a five-point Likert scale (from 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree). The statements cover various aspects such as:
Communication: The effectiveness of communication between parents regarding child-rearing issues.
Support: The sense of mutual support and collaboration between parents.
Decision Agreement: How often parents agree on decisions concerning the upbringing of the child.
Conflict: The frequency and intensity of conflicts related to parenting matters.

Scoring

Scoring for the CRS involves calculating total scores for each category and an overall coparenting relationship score. These scores can be categorized to indicate the quality of the coparenting relationship:
Low Quality Coparenting: Indicates limited or problematic cooperation between parents.
Moderate Quality Coparenting: Indicates a fair level of cooperation that may benefit from improvement.
High Quality Coparenting: Indicates effective collaboration and mutual support in child-rearing.

References

Feinberg, M. E., & Kan, M. L. (2008). Establishing family foundations: The role of coparenting in the transition to parenthood. In K. A. Karraker (Ed.), Families in Transition (pp. 43–64). Springer.
McHale, J. P., & Rasmussen, J. (1998). Coparenting and family functioning: Perspectives on the role of the coparenting relationship in family dynamics. Family Relations, 47(3), 233–244.
Doss, B. D., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Markman, H. J. (2009). The role of coparenting in couple relationships. Journal of Family Psychology, 23(5), 596–605.
Gable, S. L., & So, M. (2003). The role of coparenting in family well-being: A meta-analysis. Journal of Family Psychology, 17(4), 587–598.