Positive Parenting Practices – Rochester Youth Development Study
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About Positive Parenting Practices – Rochester Youth Development Study
Scale Name
Positive Parenting Practices – Rochester Youth Development Study
Author Details
Adapted from Marvin D. Krohn, Susan B. Stern, Terence P. Thornberry, and Sung Joon Jang (1992)
Translation Availability
English

Background/Description
The Positive Parenting Practices – Rochester Youth Development Study, adapted from Krohn, Stern, Thornberry, and Jang (1992), is a dual-report questionnaire designed to measure the frequency with which parents reward their child’s good behavior with praising, hugging, or similar responses. It includes matching versions for youth and their parents. Initially targeting youths in grades 7-8 (ages 12-14) in 1988, with longitudinal follow-up into adulthood, and their parents, the scale was part of the Rochester Youth Development Study, a longitudinal study of juvenile delinquency and protective factors. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with social learning theory (Bandura, 1977) and positive parenting frameworks, assessing how reinforcement influences youth behavior outcomes.
The scale comprises 6 items per version (youth and parent), rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = “never” to 4 = “always”). Examples include “My parents praise me when I do well” (youth version) or “I hug or praise my child for good behavior” (parent version). Scores are summed (range: 6-24), 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 and longitudinal context are strengths, though moderate parent reliability and English-only availability may limit its 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 Rochester 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 parents to rate the frequency of parental rewards for good behavior over the past month, using the 4-point scale. Administer both versions separately to capture perspectives.
- Approximate time for completion is 2-3 minutes per respondent, given the 6-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 – Rochester Youth Development Study demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is good for youth (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79) and acceptable for parents (α = 0.70), indicating reasonable item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate based on similar parenting measures (r ≈ 0.60-0.80 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as reduced delinquency (r ≈ -0.20 to -0.40) and positive parent-child relationships (r ≈ 0.30-0.50). 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 youth version’s reliability is stronger, but the parent version’s moderate alpha suggests cautious use, ideally paired with multi-informant data.
Available Versions
05-Items
Reference
Krohn, M. D., Stern, S. B., Thornberry, T. P., & Jang, S. J. (1992). The measurement of family process variables: The effect of adolescent and parent perceptions of family life on delinquent behavior. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 8, 287-315.
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 – Rochester Youth Development Study measure?
It measures the frequency of parental rewards for good behavior, as reported by youth and parents.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals studying youths and parents.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 2-3 minutes per respondent.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets youths initially in grades 7-8 and their parents in urban settings.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, but moderate parent reliability (α = 0.70) suggests use with validated measures.
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