Some Psychometric Properties of the Ghent Parental Behavior Scale1

Abstract

Summary: The theoretical basis of the Ghent Parental Behavior Questionnaire (GPBS) originates from social-learning theories. Parents rate the frequency of their behavior toward a target child between 8 and 14 years old, and children rate the behavior of their parents. Confirmatory factor analyses provide evidence for a solid factor structure in different samples. Nine scales are distinguished: Positive parenting, Monitoring, Rules, Discipline, Inconsistent discipline, Harsh punishment, Ignoring, Material rewarding, and Autonomy. It is also feasible to distinguish two second-order factors: Support and Negative control. The internal consistency is acceptable to good. Correlations between ratings of parents and children are positive and significant. We also find evidence for the assumption that positive parenting is negatively associated with problem behavior and stress in parenting, and, in addition, that inadequate parenting is positively related to problem behavior and stress in parenting.