Abstract
Objectives
Many parents anecdotally report experiencing parenting related guilt, yet no empirically validated general measures of parenting guilt exist. Researchers are therefore unable to fully examine this phenomenon. In this paper we outline the development and validation of the Guilt About Parenting Scale (GAPS) to address this need.
Methods
A convenience sample of parents (N = 290, 88% mothers, 12% fathers, Mage = 37.85, SD = 5.53) completed the draft GAPS measure along with a series of other well-validated measures. Using Structural Equation Modelling the final GAPS measure was derived, and tested within a model comprising a number of pertinent parenting factors.
Results
Statistical analyses revealed a good fit of brief 10-item scale comprising a single parenting guilt factor (χ2 (35) = 65.59, p< 0.001; CFI = 0.960; SRMR = 0.041; RMSEA = 0.056, 90% CI [0.035, 0.077]) with good construct, convergent and concurrent validity, and strong internal consistency (α = 0.89, H = 0.89). We also tested the empirical utility of the new measure by examining the role of work and family conflict in predicting child maladjustment via parenting guilt, parental emotional adjustment, and parenting self-efficacy. Good support was found for the proposed model (χ2 (450) = 773.96, p< 0.001; CFI = 0.925; SRMR = 0.058; RMSEA = 0.049, 90% CI [0.043, 0.055]).
Conclusions
The results indicate the GAPS is a promising tool for the assessment of parenting guilt, and highlight the importance of including parenting guilt in models examining the influence of work and family conflict on family outcomes.
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Author Contributions
D.H.: design of the study. J.F.: literature review. D.H. & J.F.: conceptualisation, design and development of the GAPS and data acquisition. A.F.: data analysis and interpretation. D.H., A.F. and J.F.: writing and revising of the final manuscript.
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The Parenting and Family Support Centre is partly funded by royalties stemming from published resources of the Triple P—Positive Parenting Program, which is developed and owned by The University of Queensland (UQ). Royalties are also distributed to the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at UQ and contributory authors of published Triple P resources. Triple P International (TPI) Pty Ltd is a private company licensed by Uniquest Pty Ltd on behalf of UQ, to publish and disseminate Triple P worldwide. The authors of this report have no share or ownership of TPI. D.H. receives royalties and/or consultancy fees from TPI. TPI had no involvement in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of data, or writing of this report. D.H. is a former employee at UQ and holds an honorary appointment at UQ. A.F. holds an honorary appointment at UQ. J.F. declares she has no conflict of interest.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the University of Queensland (Australia) ethical clearance number 16-PSYCH-MAP-12-JS.
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Appendix: The Guilt about Parenting Scale (GAPS)
Appendix: The Guilt about Parenting Scale (GAPS)
This questionnaire is designed to capture how you think and feel about being a parent. Please read each statement carefully. For each question circle the number that best describes how much you agree with each statement. Do not spend too much time on each statement. Please do not skip any answers. There are no right or wrong responses.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Strongly disagree | Disagree | Somewhat disagree | Neither agree or disagree | Somewhat agree | Agree | Strongly agree | ||
1. | I often worry I am not as good a parent as I should be | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
2. | I feel bad if I put my own needs ahead of my child | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
3. | I should spend more time with my child | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
4. | I feel guilty if my child gets upset when I leave them | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
5. | I often feel it is my fault if my child gets upset | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
6. | I feel bad if I am inconsistent in parenting or disciplining my child | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
7. | I often worry I do not give my child enough love and attention | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
8. | I feel guilty when I do not have the energy to fully engage with my child | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
9. | I feel bad if I am not at home or with my family | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
10. | I should be able to manage work and family better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
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Haslam, D., Filus, A. & Finch, J. The Guilt about Parenting Scale (GAPS): Development and Initial Validation of a Self-Report Measure of Parenting Guilt, and the Relationship between Parenting Guilt and Work and Family Variables. J Child Fam Stud 29, 880–894 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01565-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01565-8