The psychometric properties of the Hungarian Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire

Abstract

ABSTRACT Parental reflective functioning refers to the ability of parents to understand their child as motivated by internal mental experiences such as thoughts and feelings. This study aimed to examine the factor structure of the Hungarian version of the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) and to assess its relationships with general reflective functioning (Certainty and Uncertainty), attachment dimensions (Confidence, Relationships as secondary, The need for approval, Discomfort with closeness, Preoccupation with relationships) and the perception of the child (Warmth and Invasiveness) among mothers of children up to five years of age. Two hundred sixty-three mothers completed the PRFQ and The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire, of which 201 mothers also completed the Mothers’ Object Relations Scale and The Attachment Style Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the three-factor solution. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for Certainty about Mental States and Interest and Curiosity subscales were excellent, while it was lower for Pre-Mentalizing.