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New measure for fathers of children with developmental challenges
Author(s) -
Ly A. R.,
Goldberg W. A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1111/jir.12044
Subject(s) - psychology , construct validity , developmental psychology , intervention (counseling) , scale (ratio) , perception , construct (python library) , test validity , reliability (semiconductor) , validity , psychometrics , clinical psychology , psychiatry , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , computer science , programming language
Background There is a relative lack of measures tailored to the study of fathers of children with developmental challenges ( DC s). The goal of the current study was to create and validate a brief measure designed to capture the perceptions and experiences of these fathers. The F athers of C hildren with D evelopmental C hallenges ( FCDC ) questionnaire was designed to assess fathers' perceptions of the supports for, and challenges to, their efforts to be involved in the rearing of their children. Method Participants were 101 fathers of children with DC s who completed an online survey. Scale validation included tests to determine reliability, validity and factor structure. Used to establish validity were measures of parenting stress, parenting commitment, parent personality and child social‐communicative skills. Results Analyses indicated that the FCDC is reliable (α = 0.89), demonstrates content validity, construct validity and acts in theoretically expected ways. Factor analysis on the 20‐item measure yielded two sub‐scales: (1) impact on parenting, and (2) involvement with child intervention. Conclusions The FCDC fills a gap in the literature by offering an easy‐to‐administer self‐report measure of fathers' perceptions of supports for, and barriers to, their involvement with their children with DC s. The FCDC could assist professionals in delivering support services specifically for fathers of children with DC s.