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Parental Involvement – Chicago Youth Development Study
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About Parental Involvement – Chicago Youth Development Study
Scale Name
Parental Involvement – Chicago Youth Development Study
Author Details
Deborah Gorman-Smith, Patrick H. Tolan, Arnaldo Zelli, and L. Rowell Huesmann (1996)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Parental Involvement – Chicago Youth Development Study, developed by Deborah Gorman-Smith, Patrick H. Tolan, Arnaldo Zelli, and L. Rowell Huesmann in 1996, is a dual-report questionnaire designed to measure the degree to which parents are involved in their child’s life, including activities such as monitoring, communication, and participation in daily routines. Targeting youths initially in grades 6 and 8 (ages 11-14) in 1990, with longitudinal follow-up into adulthood, and their primary caregivers in urban settings, the scale was part of the Chicago Youth Development Study, a longitudinal study of risk and protective factors for urban youth. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) and social learning theory (Bandura, 1977), assessing how parental involvement serves as a protective factor against delinquency and promotes positive development.
The scale comprises 10 items per version (youth and caregiver), rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “never” to 5 = “always”). Examples include “My parent knows where I am after school” (youth version) and “I talk to my child about their day” (caregiver version). Scores are summed (range: 10-50), with higher scores indicating greater involvement. Validated in urban samples, it is used to assess parenting practices, predict behavioral outcomes, and inform family-based interventions.
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals use the scale to evaluate parental engagement, 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 Chicago Youth Development Study publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses parental involvement to support positive youth development, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking youths and caregivers to rate the frequency of involvement behaviors over the past month, using the 5-point scale. Administer both versions separately to capture perspectives.
- Approximate time for completion is 3-5 minutes per respondent, given the 10-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 youths with reading difficulties or caregivers as needed.
Reliability and Validity
The Parental Involvement – Chicago Youth Development Study demonstrates strong psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is good, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.79 for youth and 0.78 for caregivers, indicating robust item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate to high based on similar parenting measures (r ≈ 0.65-0.85 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as reduced delinquency (r ≈ -0.25 to -0.45) and positive academic outcomes (r ≈ 0.20-0.40). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like peer attitudes (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict positive behavioral and academic outcomes in longitudinal studies. Factor analyses are not detailed, but the scale’s unidimensional focus on involvement supports construct validity. The strong reliability supports its use, though multi-informant data (e.g., teacher reports) can enhance accuracy.
Available Versions
12-Items
Reference
Gorman-Smith, D., Tolan, P. H., Zelli, A., & Huesmann, L. R. (1996). The relation of family functioning to violence among inner-city minority youths. Journal of family psychology, 10(2), 115.
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 Involvement – Chicago Youth Development Study measure?
It measures the degree of parental involvement in a child’s life, as reported by youths and caregivers.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals studying youths and caregivers.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 3-5 minutes per respondent.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets urban youths in grades 6 and 8 and their caregivers.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, it supports family interventions with strong reliability (α = 0.78-0.79).
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