Psychometric characteristics of the Parenting Scale in a Vietnamese sample

The Parenting Scale (PS) is a well-established instrument for measuring discipline practices in Western populations. However, whether the PS is a valid and reliable measure in Eastern populations is not known. Thus, this study examined the psychometric properties of the PS in a sample of 433 Vietnamese parents of children aged 2-7 years. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) examined the commonly used Reitman et al.'s two-factor and Rhoades and O'Leary's three-factor solutions. Neither factor structure fit the data. An exploratory factor analysis identified a 12-item one-factor and 14-item two-factor solutions that overlapped substantially with established factor structures. The one-factor solution reflected Lax/Overreactive parenting and the two-factor solution consisted of Lax/Overreactive and Hostile subscales. The factor structures were confirmed via multigroup CFA. Internal consistencies were acceptable and ranged between .70 and .85. Each factor was positively associated with parent anger, dysfunctional cognitions about child behaviour, and externalising child behaviour problems. However, when entered simultaneously in a regression, Hostile discipline was not uniquely associated with child behaviour. Overall, results support the potential utility of the 12-item one-factor PS as a measure of dysfunctional parenting practices for Vietnamese parents.