Development and initial validation of the Parent–child Joint Activity Scale: a measure of joint engagement in activities between parent and pre-school child

Abstract

A substantial body of literature links several specific dimensions of negative parenting to disruptive child behaviour. However, few population-based studies have explored positive parenting practices in pre-school children. The Parent–child Joint Activity Scale (PJAS), is a new self-report instrument using parents as the informants for the assessment of parent–pre-school child joint activities. Forty-eight items were generated through a literature review and by eliciting opinions from professionals working with children, and parents of young children. A group of professionals and parents reviewed these items, to establish their content validity. Item analysis was carried out using a sample of 150 mothers of three- to four-year-old children. Finally, we selected 21 items for our scale which showed a good internal consistency and reliability. The concurrent validity of the scale was assessed against the amount of time that mothers spent in joint activity with their child, assessed in a semi-structured interview called ‘Yesterday's Interview’. Validity was further established by contrasting scores on the new scale for two groups, nominated by their health visitors as characterizing high and low levels of parent–child joint activity. Finally, potential clinical applications and future research priorities are addressed. Copyright © 1999 Whurr Publishers Ltd.