Abstract
The parental stress scale (PSS) is a widely used instrument that assesses stress related to child rearing. Even though several studies have investigated the construct validity and reliability of the PSS, no consensus has been reached regarding which and how many of the original eighteen items that should be included, or a robust factor structure with satisfactory reliability. The present study tested the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the PSS and used the advantages of complementary exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to investigate the underlying factor structure of the PSS items. Data stem from a community sample of 1096 parents from five counties in Norway with a one-year-old child. The sample was randomly split (N = 553/543), and exploratory and confirmatory analyses were performed on each of the samples. Using predefined criteria for the selection of robust items, results revealed a two-dimensional structure (Parental stressors and Lack of rewards) across 13 PSS items, displaying satisfactory reliability. Network analyses revealed differential associations within item constellations and with covariates. Implications of the findings and study limitations are discussed.
Highlights
Parenthood is at once rewarding and demanding
We examined the associations between the Parental Stress Scale (PSS) and parent reported psychological distress
The participants came from the Behavior Outlook Norwegian developmental Study (BONDS), wherein 1157 children (559 girls) and their families have been followed from the children were 6 months old throughout early school age [37]
Summary
Parenthood is at once rewarding and demanding. The debate about the degree to which parents are more or less happy and healthy than nonparents, have engaged psychologists, sociologists, and economists alike for decades. The discussion was recently revitalized following a series of papers addressing parental happiness [1,2,3], including a comprehensive review of the mixed and conflicting literature [4]. Parents seem to report unhappiness when they experience negative emotions, financial problems, sleep difficulties, and troubled marriages, and happiness when having children bring greater meaning in life, satisfaction of basic needs, positive emotions, and enhanced social roles [4]. We need to continue examining the circumstances under which parenthood is associated with more or less happiness
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