Psychology RootsPositive Parenting Practices – Chicago Youth Development Study
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About Positive Parenting Practices – Chicago Youth Development Study
Scale Name
Positive Parenting Practices – Chicago Youth Development Study
Author Details
Patrick H. Tolan, Deborah Gorman-Smith, and David B. Henry (2000)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Positive Parenting Practices – Chicago Youth Development Study, developed by Patrick H. Tolan, Deborah Gorman-Smith, and David B. Henry in 2000, is a dual-report questionnaire designed to measure the frequency of parental rewards (e.g., winking, verbal praise, hugs, and special privileges) for good behavior. It includes matching versions for youth and their primary caregivers. Initially targeting youths in grades 6 and 8 (ages 11-14) in 1990, with longitudinal follow-up into adulthood, and their primary caregivers, the scale was part of the Chicago Youth Development Study, a longitudinal study of risk and protective factors for urban youth. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with social learning theory (Bandura, 1977) and positive parenting frameworks, assessing how positive reinforcement influences youth behavior outcomes.
The scale comprises 8 items per version (youth and caregiver), rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “never” to 5 = “always”). Examples include “My parents hug me when I do something good” (youth version) or “I give my child verbal praise for good behavior” (caregiver version). Scores are summed (range: 8-40), with higher scores indicating greater frequency of positive reinforcement. Validated in urban samples, it is used to assess parenting practices, predict positive youth outcomes, and inform family interventions.
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals use the scale to evaluate positive parenting, study parent-child agreement, and design prevention programs. Its dual-report format, strong psychometrics, and longitudinal context are strengths, though its English-only availability may limit cross-cultural use.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the scale from authorized sources, such as Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths or Chicago Youth Development Study publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses positive parenting behaviors to support healthy family dynamics, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking youth and caregivers to rate the frequency of parental rewards for good behavior over the past month, using the 5-point scale. Administer both versions separately to capture perspectives.
- Approximate time for completion is 3-4 minutes per respondent, given the 8-item format.
- Administer in a school, home, or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment. Oral administration may be used for younger respondents or those with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The Positive Parenting Practices – Chicago Youth Development Study demonstrates strong psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is high for both versions, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.85 for youth and 0.84 for parents, indicating excellent item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate to high based on similar parenting measures (r ≈ 0.65-0.85 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as reduced delinquency (r ≈ -0.25 to -0.45) and positive parent-child relationships (r ≈ 0.35-0.55). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic achievement (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict positive behavioral outcomes in longitudinal studies. Factor analyses are not detailed, but the scale’s unidimensional focus on positive reinforcement supports construct validity. The high reliability makes it robust, though self-report biases suggest pairing with multi-informant data (e.g., teacher ratings).
Available Versions
06-Items
Reference
Dahlberg, L. L., Toal, S. B., Swahn, M. H., & Behrens, C. B. (2005). Measuring violence-related attitudes, behaviors, and influences among youths: A compendium of assessment tools. Centers for disease control and prevention.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Positive Parenting Practices – Chicago Youth Development Study measure?
It measures the frequency of parental rewards for good behavior, as reported by youth and caregivers.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals studying youths and caregivers.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 3-4 minutes per respondent.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets youths initially in grades 6 and 8 and their caregivers in urban settings.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, it supports family interventions with high reliability (α = 0.84-0.85).
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