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Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Competency Scale for Developmentally Supportive Parenting of High-Risk Infants (CS-DSPHI): Development and
1Author Affiliations: College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea (Oh); and College of Nursing, Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea (Heo).
Background:
Developmentally supportive parenting (DSP) is the parental competency that optimizes developmental outcomes in high-risk infants, spanning developmental knowledge, emotional responsiveness, cognitive stimulation, and the psychological capacity to sustain these behaviors. Existing measures assess caregiving confidence or require trained observers; none captures DSP competency by self-report.
Purpose:
This study aimed to develop a self-report scale measuring DSP competency among parents of high-risk infants and to evaluate its psychometric properties.
Methods:
A total of 440 parents of high-risk infants participated in the study between February 2 and 28, 2024. The study was conducted in 2 phases. In Phase 1, the instrument was developed through a review of the relevant literature and interviews with parents; thereafter, the preliminary items were evaluated for content validity. Phase 2 included psychometric testing, item analysis, and construct validity analysis. Concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliabilities were also examined.
Results:
The final scale was confirmed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, yielding a 4-factor scale with 28 items. The 4 factors were parental knowledge of child health and development; parental emotional support; cognitive development promotion and behavioral guidance; and parental mindfulness and self-care. Concurrent validity was demonstrated, and instrument reliability was deemed acceptable.
Implications For Practice And Research:
The CS-DSPHI is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing DSP competency in parents of high-risk infants. Healthcare providers can use these scores to identify specific areas requiring educational support and guidance. Further validation across diverse parent populations and infant risk levels is warranted.
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