Mindful Parenting Assessed in Mainland China: Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale

Abstract

The Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale is a 31-item self-report measure to assess mindful parenting, and has been revised into a Dutch, Portuguese, and Hong Kong version. The aim of this research was to explore the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting scale (IM-P-C) in Mainland China. The Chinese version was translated from the original English version in the preliminary study. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and measurement invariance analysis across gender, test-retest reliability were examined consecutively in study 1 (n = 183), 2 (n = 294), and 3 (n = 48). In study 4, its factor structure was examined in a clinical sample (n = 288). A four-factor structure was found in study 1 and the scale scores showed adequate internal consistency. The four-factor structure was confirmed with a new sample in study 2. Measurement invariance analysis across gender suggested that both fathers and mothers interpreted the IM-P-C in a similar manner. Significant correlations were found between the IM-P-C and measures of over-reactivity, parental warmth, anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, and dispositional mindfulness. In study 3, results exhibited temporal stability over a period of 2 weeks. In study 4, the IM-P-C was validated in parents of children with autism. The present research demonstrated that mindful parenting in a Chinese population can be measured through the assessment of four dimensions (Interacting with Full Attention, Compassion and Acceptance, Self-regulation in Parenting, Emotional Awareness of Child) and confirmed that the Chinese version is an adequate measure for the studies of mindful parenting in Mainland China.