Brief Description

The Parenting Stress Index (PSI) is a psychometric tool developed to assess the level of stress experienced by parents in relation to their parenting role. It is widely used to identify factors associated with parental stress and its impact on the parent–child relationship. It includes statements that evaluate both child and parent characteristics, as well as external factors affecting family dynamics.

Purpose

The purpose of the PSI is to identify levels of stress in the parenting role and to understand how this stress influences the parent–child relationship. It is used both diagnostically and for research purposes to detect risk for attachment disorders, intra-family difficulties, or to measure the effectiveness of interventions aimed at supporting parents.

Scoring Method

The PSI includes statements rated on a Likert scale, typically 5 points (e.g., from “Strongly Agree” to “Strongly Disagree”). Responses are grouped into various factors or subscales related to child characteristics (e.g., hyperactivity, demandingness), parent characteristics (e.g., self-esteem, depression), and stressful life conditions. The total score reflects the overall level of stress. There are established criteria for interpreting results depending on the reference population.

Validity

The PSI demonstrates high construct and content validity. It has been positively correlated with other measures of stress, depression, and parental satisfaction. The tool’s validity has been documented across multiple studies and it has been successfully used with various population groups, including parents of children with developmental challenges, mental health conditions, or physical illnesses.

Reliability

The internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach’s alpha) of the PSI across its editions ranges from 0.70 to 0.95, depending on the subscale and sample. Test-retest reliability is also satisfactory. The structure of the tool remains stable across cross-cultural applications and translations.

Data Analysis and Use

Analysis of results is based on subscale and total scores. High scores indicate a significant level of stress and may suggest the need for intervention. It is commonly used in clinical practice by psychologists, child psychiatrists, and social workers. It is also a robust research tool for studying the relationship between stress, parenting behavior, and child development.

References

Abidin, R. R. (1995). Parenting Stress Index (3rd ed.). Psychological Assessment Resources.
Abidin, R. R. (2013). The forensic uses and limitations of the Parenting Stress Index. In R. C. Morgan (Ed.), Evaluation for child custody (pp. 346–379). Oxford University Press.