(PS8-A25) Further Validation of the Alabama Parenting questionnaire-9 in a Clinical Service Seeking Population

The Alabama Parenting Questionnaire-9 (APQ-9) is a widely used measure of parenting practices, and specifically characterizes parenting across three factors: Positive Parenting, Inconsistent Discipline and Poor Supervision. While this measure has been validated in many populations (i.e., community), further studies are needed to assess its use within a clinical services seeking population, in which many children exhibit difficult behaviors and parents are experiencing higher stress and thereby possibly affecting parenting practices. 

Data was obtained from caregivers of 403 children aged 6-17 presenting to a psychological clinic in the Southeastern U.S. A confirmatory factor analysis using an oblique rotation of the nine APQ items was performed. A total of three factors had eigenvalues greater than 1.00, cumulatively accounting for 68.56% of the total variance. The items fall into three factors proposed by Frick et al. (1991) positive parenting behaviors, inconsistent discipline, and poor supervision. The factors were examined using promax rotation of the factor loading matrix. As expected, each factor was significantly correlated with parent stress. Additionally, each factor except positive parenting behaviors were significantly related to child externalizing behaviors as well. 

The results of this study provide further psychometric validation for the APQ-9 in a clinical services seeking population. Results indicate that the APQ-9 is a useful measure of parenting practices for those seeking clinical services for their child. Given the current evidence within a clinical setting, clinicians should feel confident using the APQ-9 in clinical service as a valid indicator of the parenting experience prior to receiving clinical services and thereby accurately evaluate ways to improve parent and child well-being.