Description

The PSOC was developed by Gibaud-Wallston and Wandersman in 1978, and it consists of two subscales:

Efficacy: Measures the parent’s sense of competence and their perceived capability in handling parenting challenges effectively.

Satisfaction: Assesses the parent’s satisfaction with their role, enjoyment of parenting, and emotional aspects of parenthood.

The PSOC typically consists of 16 to 17 items (depending on the version used), rated on a Likert scale (usually from 1 to 6), where higher scores indicate a stronger sense of parenting competence. Each subscale is calculated separately, allowing researchers or clinicians to assess both satisfaction and efficacy independently.

Data Analysis and Use

1. Scoring:

The items on the PSOC are rated on a Likert scale, with responses ranging from strong disagreement to strong agreement.

Some items are reverse-scored to balance out response biases.

The final score is calculated by summing the individual item scores for each subscale, providing a total for efficacy and satisfaction. Higher scores on each subscale suggest higher perceived competence and satisfaction.

2. Data Analysis:

Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA): Used to examine the factor structure of the PSOC and verify that the scale items load onto the expected dimensions (efficacy and satisfaction).

Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA): Applied to test the validity of the factor structure found through EFA. Researchers often aim to confirm that the two-factor model fits the data well.

Reliability Analysis: Internal consistency is measured using Cronbach’s alpha for the efficacy and satisfaction subscales to ensure the scale is reliable.

Regression Analysis: Can be used to explore the relationship between PSOC scores and other variables such as child behavior, parental mental health, or the impact of a parenting intervention.

3. Use in Research:

Parenting Interventions: The PSOC is often used to assess changes in parental confidence and satisfaction before and after an intervention aimed at improving parenting practices.

Cross-Cultural Comparisons: Some researchers adapt and validate the PSOC in different cultural contexts to explore how perceptions of parenting competence vary across countries or ethnic groups.

Correlational Studies: It can be used to study the relationship between parental sense of competence and factors like child developmental outcomes, parenting stress, social support, and family dynamics.

Calibration

The calibration or validation of the PSOC involves ensuring that the scale accurately measures what it intends to measure, typically through:

Reliability Testing: Ensuring the consistency of responses over time.

Validity Testing: Ensuring that the scale captures the constructs of parental efficacy and satisfaction effectively.

Cross-Cultural Calibration: Adapting and validating the PSOC in different languages or cultural settings to ensure its universal applicability.

Bibliography

Gibaud-Wallston, J., & Wandersman, L. P. (1978). Development and utility of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association.

Johnston, C., & Mash, E. J. (1989). A measure of parenting satisfaction and efficacy. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 18(2), 167-175.

Ohan, J. L., Leung, D. W., & Johnston, C. (2000). The Parenting Sense of Competence Scale: Evidence of a stable factor structure and validity. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 32(4), 251-261.

Sevigny, P. R., & Loutzenhiser, L. (2010). Predictors of parenting self-efficacy in mothers and fathers of toddlers. Child: Care, Health, and Development, 36(2), 179-189.