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Parental-Child Attachment – Rochester Youth Development Study
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About Parental-Child Attachment – Rochester Youth Development Study
Scale Name
Parental-Child Attachment – Rochester Youth Development Study
Author Details
Terence P. Thornberry, Alan J. Lizotte, Marvin D. Krohn, Margaret Farnworth, and Sung Joon Jang (1991), adapted from Walter W. Hudson (1982)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Parental-Child Attachment – Rochester Youth Development Study, developed by Terence P. Thornberry, Alan J. Lizotte, Marvin D. Krohn, Margaret Farnworth, and Sung Joon Jang in 1991 and adapted from Hudson’s (1982) Index of Parental Attitudes, is a dual-report questionnaire designed to measure the degree of warmth and lack of hostility in the parent-child relationship. Targeting youths initially in grades 7-8 (ages 12-14) in 1988, with longitudinal follow-up into adulthood, and their parents, the scale was part of the Rochester Youth Development Study, a longitudinal study of delinquency and protective factors. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969) and social control theory (Hirschi, 1969), assessing how strong, positive parent-child bonds reduce risk behaviors.
The scale comprises 7 items per version (youth and parent), rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = “never” to 4 = “always”). Examples include “I feel close to my parents” (youth version) or “I show affection toward my child” (parent version). Scores are summed (range: 7-28), with higher scores indicating greater warmth and less hostility. Validated in urban samples, it is used to assess attachment quality, predict delinquency, and inform family interventions.
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals use the scale to evaluate parent-child relationships, study protective factors, and design prevention programs. Its dual-report format and strong psychometrics are strengths, though its English-only availability may limit cross-cultural use.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the scale from authorized sources, such as Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths or Rochester Youth Development Study publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses warmth in parent-child relationships to support positive family dynamics, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking youth and parents to rate the frequency of warm, non-hostile interactions over the past month, using the 4-point scale. Administer both versions separately to capture perspectives.
- Approximate time for completion is 2-3 minutes per respondent, given the 7-item format.
- Administer in a school, home, or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment. Oral administration may be used for younger respondents or those with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The Parental-Child Attachment – Rochester Youth Development Study demonstrates strong psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is high, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.87 for youth and 0.81 for parents, indicating excellent item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate to high based on similar attachment measures (r ≈ 0.70-0.85 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as reduced delinquency (r ≈ -0.30 to -0.50) and positive family functioning (r ≈ 0.40-0.60). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic achievement (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict behavioral outcomes in longitudinal studies. Factor analyses are not detailed, but the scale’s unidimensional focus on attachment supports construct validity. The high reliability makes it robust, though self-report biases suggest pairing with multi-informant data (e.g., teacher observations).
Available Versions
11-Items
Reference
Dahlberg, L. L., Toal, S. B., Swahn, M. H., & Behrens, C. B. (2005). Measuring violence-related attitudes, behaviors, and influences among youths: A compendium of assessment tools. Centers for disease control and prevention.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Parental-Child Attachment – Rochester Youth Development Study measure?
It measures warmth and lack of hostility in parent-child relationships, as reported by youth and parents.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals studying youths and parents.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 2-3 minutes per respondent.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets youths initially in grades 7-8 and their parents in urban settings.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, it supports family interventions with high reliability (α = 0.81-0.87).
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