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Rasch validation of the Chinese parent–child interaction scale (CPCIS)

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Abstract

Background

Proper parent–child interaction is crucial for child development, but an assessment tool in Chinese is currently lacking. This study aimed to develop and validate a parent-reported parent–child interaction scale for Chinese preschool children.

Methods

The Chinese parent–child interaction scale (CPCIS) was designed by an expert panel based on the literature and clinical observations in the Chinese context. The initial CPCIS had 14 parent–child interactive activity items. Psychometric properties of the CPCIS were examined using the Rasch model and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent validity was investigated by the associations between CPCIS and family income, maternal education level, and children’s school readiness.

Results

The study recruited 567 Chinese parent–child pairs from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, who completed the CPCIS. Six out of the 14 items in the initial CPCIS were dropped due to suboptimal fit values. The refined 8-item CPCIS was shown to be valid and reliable by Rasch models and CFA. The person separation reliability and Cronbach’s α of the CPCIS were 0.81 and 0.82, respectively. The CPCIS scores were positively associated with family’s socioeconomic status (η2 = 0.05, P < 0.001), maternal education level (η2 = 0.08, P < 0.001), and children’s school readiness (η2 = 0.01, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

CPCIS is an easily administered, valid, and reliable tool for the assessment of parent–child interactions in Chinese families.

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Funding

The study was fully supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project No. 743413 and 746111). The funding body has no responsibilities in study design, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, the writing of the report, and the decision to submit the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

Dr. Ip conceptualized and designed the study, interpreted the data, and critically revised the manuscript. Dr. Tso interpreted the data and drafted the manuscript. Prof. Rao contributed to study design, interpreted the data, and critically revised the manuscript. Mr. Ho analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript. Drs. Chan, Fu, Li, and Goh interpreted the data and critically revised the manuscript. Mr. Wong and Dr. Chow assisted study design, interpreted the data, and critically revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick Ip.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong. Informed written consent was obtained from the parents of each participant. Study procedure was carried out in accordance with the approved guidelines.

Conflict of interest

No financial or non-financial benefits have been received or will be received from any party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.

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Ip, P., Tso, W., Rao, N. et al. Rasch validation of the Chinese parent–child interaction scale (CPCIS). World J Pediatr 14, 238–246 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-018-0132-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-018-0132-z

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