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Parental Supervision – Seattle Social Development Project
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About Parental Supervision – Seattle Social Development Project
Scale Name
Parental Supervision – Seattle Social Development Project
Author Details
Michael W. Arthur, J. David Hawkins, John A. Pollard, Richard F. Catalano, and A. J. Baglioni Jr. (2002)
Translation Availability
English

Background/Description
The Parental Supervision – Seattle Social Development Project, developed by Michael W. Arthur, J. David Hawkins, John A. Pollard, Richard F. Catalano, and A. J. Baglioni Jr. in 2002, is a youth-report questionnaire designed to measure students’ perceptions of the rules their parents have established and how closely their parents monitor compliance with those rules. Targeting students aged 11-18 (grades 6-12) in urban settings, the scale was part of the Seattle Social Development Project, a longitudinal study aimed at identifying risk and protective factors for youth problem behaviors. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with the social development model (Hawkins & Weis, 1985), assessing how parental monitoring and rule-setting serve as protective factors against delinquency, substance use, and other risk behaviors.
The scale comprises 8 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = “never” to 4 = “always”). Examples include “My parents have clear rules about what I can and cannot do” and “My parents check to see if I follow their rules.” Scores are summed (range: 8-32), with higher scores indicating greater perceived parental supervision. Validated in diverse urban samples, it is used to assess parental monitoring, predict positive behavioral outcomes, and inform family-based prevention programs.
Psychologists, educators, and public health researchers use the scale to evaluate youths’ perceptions of parental oversight, study protective factors, and design interventions. Its strong reliability and focus on both rule-setting and monitoring are strengths, though its youth-only perspective and English-only availability may limit comprehensive assessment and 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 Seattle Social Development Project publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses perceptions of parental rules and monitoring to support healthy development, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking students to rate the frequency of parental rule-setting and monitoring behaviors over the past month, using the 4-point scale.
- Approximate time for completion is 2-3 minutes, given the 8-item format.
- Administer in a classroom or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment. Oral administration may be used for students with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The Parental Supervision – Seattle Social Development Project demonstrates strong psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is high, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.83, indicating excellent item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate to high based on similar supervision 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), decreased substance use (r ≈ -0.20 to -0.40), and increased family bonding (r ≈ 0.30-0.50). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic performance (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict positive behavioral outcomes in longitudinal studies. Factor analyses are not detailed, but the scale’s unidimensional focus on supervision supports construct validity. The high reliability makes it robust, though pairing with parent-reported measures (e.g., Parental Involvement, Gorman-Smith et al., 1996) can enhance accuracy.
Available Versions
08-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 Supervision – Seattle Social Development Project measure?
It measures students’ perceptions of parental rules and monitoring.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, educators, and researchers studying students aged 11-18.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 2-3 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets urban students aged 11-18.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, it supports prevention programs with strong reliability (α = 0.83).
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