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Consistency of Discipline – Rochester Youth Development Study
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About Consistency of Discipline – Rochester Youth Development Study
Scale Name
Consistency of Discipline – Rochester Youth Development Study
Author Details
Susan B. Stern, Carolyn A. Smith, and Sung Joon Jang (1999), adapted from Marvin D. Krohn, Susan B. Stern, Terence P. Thornberry, and Sung Joon Jang (1992)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Consistency of Discipline – Rochester Youth Development Study, developed by Susan B. Stern, Carolyn A. Smith, and Sung Joon Jang in 1999 and adapted from Krohn et al. (1992), is a dual-report questionnaire designed to measure the extent to which parents maintain consistent consequences and follow through with discipline. It includes matching versions for youth and their parents. Initially targeting youths 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 juvenile delinquency and risk factors. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with social control theory (Hirschi, 1969) and parenting effectiveness models, assessing how consistent discipline influences youth behavior outcomes.
The scale comprises 6 items per version (youth and parent), rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = “never” to 4 = “always”). Examples include “My parents follow through with promised consequences” (youth version) or “I consistently enforce rules for my child” (parent version). Scores are summed (range: 6-24), with higher scores indicating greater consistency. Validated in urban samples, it is used to assess parenting practices, predict delinquency, and inform family interventions.
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals use the scale to evaluate discipline consistency, study parent-child agreement, and design prevention programs. Its dual-report format and longitudinal context are strengths, but moderate youth reliability and English-only availability may limit its 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 (p. 122, available at http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/YV_Compendium.pdf) or Rochester Youth Development Study publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses discipline consistency to support positive family dynamics, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking youth and parents to rate the consistency of parental discipline 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 6-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 Consistency of Discipline – Rochester Youth Development Study demonstrates varied psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is strong for parents (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.85), indicating good item cohesion, but moderate for youth (α = 0.65), suggesting lower reliability due to subjective perceptions. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate based on similar parenting measures (r ≈ 0.60-0.80 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as reduced delinquency (r ≈ -0.20 to -0.40) and effective parenting (r ≈ 0.30-0.50). 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 supports construct validity. The parent version’s reliability is robust, but the youth version’s moderate alpha suggests cautious use, ideally paired with multi-informant data.
Available Versions
07-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 Consistency of Discipline – Rochester Youth Development Study measure?
It measures parent and youth perceptions of consistent parental discipline.
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, but moderate youth reliability (α = 0.65) suggests use with validated measures.
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