Psychology RootsTable of Contents
Parental Control Scale
Here in this post, we are sharing the “Parental Control Scale”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About Parental Control Scale
Scale Name
Parental Control Scale
Author Details
Houston Community Demonstration Project (1993)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Parental Control Scale, developed by the Houston Community Demonstration Project in 1993, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure the amount and type of television parents allow their middle school children in grades 6-8 (ages 11-14) to watch, as well as the extent to which parents know their children’s friends and taste in music. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005) and referenced in the Houston Community Demonstration Project (1993), the scale assesses parental supervision and involvement in urban settings, aligning with social control theory (Hirschi, 1969) and ecological models (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). It was used to evaluate community-based prevention programs, focusing on how parental oversight influences youth risk behaviors.
The scale comprises 7 items rated on a frequency or extent scale (e.g., 1 = “never” to 4 = “always”), assessing behaviors like “How often do your parents limit the type of TV shows you watch?” or “Do your parents know your friends?” Scores are summed (range: 7-28), with higher scores indicating greater parental involvement and control over television, friends, and music preferences. Validated in urban middle school samples, it is used to identify protective factors and inform family-based interventions.
Public health researchers, educators, and community interventionists use the scale to assess parental supervision, though its moderate internal consistency and unpublished status limit reliability. Its focus on specific parenting practices is a strength, but its English-only availability restricts broader 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 Houston Community Demonstration Project records, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses parental oversight to support positive youth development, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking students to rate the extent of parental control over TV watching, knowledge of friends, and music preferences, using the provided scale.
- Approximate time for completion is 3-4 minutes, given its 7-item format.
- Administer in a classroom or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment. Oral administration is recommended for students with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The Parental Control Scale demonstrates moderate psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is acceptable, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.73, indicating reasonable item cohesion for a 7-item scale. Test-retest reliability is not reported, and stability is uncertain, though inferred to be moderate based on similar parenting measures (r ≈ 0.60-0.80 over weeks).
Convergent validity is inferred from correlations with related constructs, such as reduced delinquency or substance use (r ≈ 0.20-0.40), consistent with social control theory. Discriminant validity is suggested by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic performance (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is supported by its use in identifying protective parenting practices in prevention studies. Factor analyses are not reported, and construct validity is limited by the moderate alpha. The scale’s reliability supports cautious use, supplemented by validated measures like the Parental Monitoring Scale (Kerr & Stattin, 2000).
Available Versions
10-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 Control Scale measure?
It measures parental control over TV, knowledge of friends, and music preferences.
Who can use the scale?
Researchers and educators studying middle school students in urban settings.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 3-4 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets grades 6-8 in urban settings.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, but moderate reliability (α = 0.73) requires use with validated measures.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at psychologyroots@gmail.com. We help others on behalf of you.
