Structural validity of the Parenting Daily Hassles Intensity Scale.

Abstract

Although the Parenting Daily Hassles Intensity Scale is a common measure, it has been relatively unclear whether users should employ the 15-item form that quantifies routine parenting hassles on two dimensions of intensity or the 20-item form that assumes a single dimension underlies the responses on the scale. To help address this gap, Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis was used to investigate the structural validity of the 15- and 20-item forms in a sample of 174 mothers with at least one young child ( =6.040, SD=0.492). Results of the Bayesian analysis did not provide empirical support for either form. A subsequent exploratory factor analysis indicated that six of the hassles that appear to address challenging child behaviour tended to cluster onto one latent factor whereas 11 hassles that appear to speak to routine parenting chores tended to cluster onto a second factor. A follow-up Bayesian analysis indicated that intensity scores can be approximated well under the 17-item form (ppp=0.124). Accordingly, researchers and clinicians are encouraged to consider the 17-item form when addressing their measurement needs.