Parenting young children (3–6) with and without disabilities in Greece: further evidence for psychometric properties, construct validity and measurement invariance of the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (child form)

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to assess psychometric properties such as factor structure and reliability as well as construct the validity of the Greek translation of the child report version of the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (3–6). Methods A total number of four hundred-four young children with and without disabilities were recruited for the study. We randomly split the entire sample into two subsamples (S1 = 138 participants and S2 = 276 participants) to have independent samples. We used the S1 sample for the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Firstly, EFA suggested a four-factor solution. We used the S2 sample for the Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Subsequently, we assessed all possible structures from unidimensional to 4-factor structure: involvement, positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, and corporal punishment. The goodness of fit indices suggested that the four-factor solution had the best fit. Results According to the study results, the APQ-GR (3–6) for children is an easily applied and comprehensive research tool. Conclusions Through this questionnaire, parental characteristics and practices in both families with and without a child with disabilities are investigated based on the child’s perspectives.