Psychology RootsParental Attitudes Toward Use of Aggression Scale
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About Parental Attitudes Toward Use of Aggression Scale
Scale Name
Parental Attitudes Toward Use of Aggression Scale
Author Details
Kenneth A. Dodge, Gregory S. Pettit, and John E. Bates (1994)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Parental Attitudes Toward Use of Aggression Scale, introduced by Dodge, Pettit, and Bates in 1994 as part of their research on socialization processes, evaluates the degree to which mothers endorse aggression as an acceptable means of problem-solving or discipline in early childhood. This tool primarily targets mothers of kindergarten-aged children and examines their beliefs about the effectiveness and appropriateness of using aggression—such as shouting, spanking, or using force—to manage misbehavior.
This scale emerged from the broader context of studying socioeconomic influences on parenting and child conduct outcomes, serving as an intermediary variable between parental beliefs and children’s behavioral trajectories. The scale’s development underscores the role of parental attitudes in shaping children’s social and emotional development.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a Copy: Request the scale and scoring instructions from the authors or access it in published supplementary materials from Dodge et al. (1994).
- Explain the Purpose: Inform mothers that the questionnaire assesses their beliefs about the use of aggression as a disciplinary or problem-solving strategy.
- Provide Instructions: Mothers rate statements (e.g., “Sometimes yelling is necessary to correct misbehavior”) on a Likert-type scale (e.g., 1 = Strongly disagree to 5 = Strongly agree).
- Approximate Time: Completing the scale typically takes 5–7 minutes.
- Administer the Scale: Provide a quiet setting for self-completion. Depending on literacy and preference, the format can be written or administered verbally to ensure clarity and confidentiality.
Reliability and Validity
The scale demonstrates moderate internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha approximately .55. Though modest, reliability is acceptable given the brevity and specific focus of the measure. Validity is supported by findings within the Socialization Mediators study, which show that maternal endorsement of aggression correlates with increased use of harsh discipline and higher rates of child behavior problems, aligning with theoretical expectations
Available Versions
10-Items
Reference
Dodge, K. A., Pettit, G. S., & Bates, J. E. (1994). Socialization mediators of the relation between socioeconomic status and child conduct problems. Child development, 65(2), 649-665.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does this scale assess?
It evaluates a mother’s attitudes toward using aggression (e.g., yelling, spanking) to solve children’s behavior problems.
Q2. Who is it designed for?
Mothers of kindergarten-aged children (around age 5–6).
Q3. How reliable is the scale?
Internal consistency is moderate (α ≈ .55), which is acceptable for brief scales assessing complex attitudes.
Q4. How is it administered?
Mothers rate statements on a Likert scale reflecting their beliefs; it typically takes 5–7 minutes.
Q5. How is validity supported?
Higher endorsement correlates with more harsh discipline practices and increased child conduct issues, consistent with theoretical models.
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