Top

Published in:

01-04-2017 | Commentary

Facing a Fundamental Problem in Prevention Science: the Measurement of a Key Construct

Author: J. Mark Eddy

Published in: Prevention Science | Issue 3/2017

Abstract

While many attempts have been made to measure various aspects of parenting within a variety of theoretical frameworks, there remains much work to do on the development of reliable and valid measures. Common themes across the papers included in a special issue on the measurement of parenting are discussed. Parenting constructs are a vital part of the work of prevention scientists, and more support is needed for researchers to engage in measurement development. Fortunately, there are some bright spots in this regard today, such as the Common Fund Science of Behavior Change Program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

Beach, S. R. H., Wamboldt, M. Z., Kaslow, N. J., Heyman, R. J., First, M. B., Underwood, L. G., & Reiss, D. (Eds.). (2006). Relational processes and DSM-V: Neuroscience, assessment, prevention, and treatment. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Chen, K., Cheng, Y., Berkout, O., & Lindhiem, O. (2017). Analyzing proportion scores as outcomes for prevention trials: A statistical primer. Prevention Science. doi:10.1007/s11121-016-0643-6.

Dishion, T. J., & Snyder, J. J. (Eds.). (2016). The Oxford handbook of coercive relationship dynamics. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Dishion, T., J., Mun, C., J., Tein, J., Kim, H., Shaw, D. S., Gardner, F., . . . Peterson, J. (2017). The validation of macro and micro observations of parent–child dynamics using the relationship affect coding system in early childhood. Prevention Science.

Eddy, J. M., & Swanson Gribskov, L. (1998). Juvenile justice and delinquency prevention in the United States: The influence of theories and traditions on policies and practices. In T. P. Gullota, G. R. Adams, & R. Montemayer (Eds.), Delinquent violent youth: Theory and interventions (pp. 12–52). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.CrossRef

Fleming, A. P., McMahon, R. J., & King, K. M. (2017). Structured parent–child observations predict development of conduct problems: The importance of parental negative attention in child-directed play. Prevention Science. doi:10.1007/s11121-016-0672-1.

Lindhiem, O., & Shaffer, A. (2017). Introduction to the special series: Current directions for measuring parenting constructs to inform prevention science. Prevention Science.

Mrazek, P. G., & Haggerty, R. J. (Eds.). (1994). Reducing risks for mental disorders: Frontiers for preventive intervention research. Washington: National Academy Press.

O’Dor, S. L., Grasso, D. J., Forbes, D., Bates, J. E., McCarthy, K. J., Wakschlag, L. S. & Briggs Gowan, M. J. (2017). The Family Socialization Interview - Revised (FSI-R): A comprehensive assessment of parental disciplinary behaviors. Prevention Science.

Patterson, G. R. (1982). A social learning approach: Coercive family process. Eugene, OR: Castalia.

Patterson, G. R., Reid, J. B., Jones, R. R., & Conger, R. D. (1975). A social learning approach to family intervention: Families with aggressive children. Eugene, OR: Castalia.

Shaffer, A., Lindhiem, O., & Kolko, D. J. (2017). Treatment effects of a primary-care intervention on parenting behaviors: Sometimes it’s relative. Prevention Science.

Zheng, Y., Pasalich, D. S., Oberth, C., McMahon, R. J., & Pinderhughes, E. E. (2017). Capturing parenting as a multidimensional and dynamic construct with a person-oriented approach. Prevention Science. doi:10.1007/s11121-016-0665-0.

Title: Facing a Fundamental Problem in Prevention Science: the Measurement of a Key Construct
Author: J. Mark Eddy
Publication date: 01-04-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Prevention Science / Issue 3/2017
Print ISSN: 1389-4986
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6695
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-017-0747-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Facing a Fundamental Problem in Prevention Science: the Measurement of a Key Construct

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 3/2017

Capturing Parenting as a Multidimensional and Dynamic Construct with a Person-Oriented Approach

Erratum to: History of Maltreatment in Childhood and Subsequent Parenting Stress in At-Risk, First-Time Mothers: Identifying Points of Intervention During Home Visiting

Impacts of Family Rewards on Adolescents’ Mental Health and Problem Behavior: Understanding the Full Range of Effects of a Conditional Cash Transfer Program

The Effects of Continuities in Parent and Peer Aggression on Relational Intimate Partner Violence in the Transition to Young Adulthood

The Validation of Macro and Micro Observations of Parent–Child Dynamics Using the Relationship Affect Coding System in Early Childhood

History of Maltreatment in Childhood and Subsequent Parenting Stress in At-Risk, First-Time Mothers: Identifying Points of Intervention During Home Visiting