An investigation of the home and family questionnaire's concurrent and predictive validity

Abstract

The current study sought to replicate the findings of Pierce, Alfonso, & Garrison (1998) that constructed and tested the Home and Family Questionnaire (HFQ). More specifically, the internal consistency of the HFQ’s three subscales, Maturity Facilitation, Child’s Use of Stimulating Materials, and the Parent-Child Emotional Relationship, was investigated. Construct validity of the HFQ was investigated by correlating the HFQ subscale scores to the Parenting Styles Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) subscale scores (Robinson, Mandleco, Olsen & Hart, 1995). Criterion-related validity was investigated by correlating the HFQ subscale scores with the Pictorial Scales of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance in Young Children (PSPC) subscale scores (Harter & Pike, 1984) and with participants’ math and reading grades. Concurrent validity of the HFQ and MC-HOME (Caldwell & Bradley, 1984) was investigated with chi-square analyses of individually matched items and with correlational analyses of the instruments’ subscale scores. Internal reliability of the HFQ subscale scores in the current study were comparable to those found in Pierce et al.(1998), with the exception of the Parent-Child Emotional Relationship. Negative relationships were found between the HFQ Parent-Child Emotional Relationship subscale scores and the PSDQ Authoritarian and Permissive subscale scores. HFQ Maturity Facilitation scores were significantly related to Physical Competence scores and Peer Acceptance scores. Child’s Use of Stimulating Materials scores were significantly related to Physical Competence scores. No significant correlations were found between the HFQ subscale scores and math and reading grades. Chi-square analyses for the individually matched HFQ and MC-HOME items demonstrated a high degree of agreement, with 75% of the matched items exhibiting agreement levels 70% or higher. Correlational analyses of the HFQ and MC-HOME subscale scores showed relationships between the HFQ Maturity Facilitation and the MC-HOME Responsivity and Emotional Climate subscale scores. The HFQ Child’s Use of Stimulating Materials subscale scores showed relationships with the MC-HOME Responsivity, Encouragement of Maturity, Family Companionship, and Emotional Climate subscale scores. No relationships were found between the HFQ Parent-Child Emotional Relationship subscale scores and the MC-HOME subscale scores.