Attitudes toward Working Single Parents: Initial Development of a Measure

Abstract

Three studies describe the development and refinement of a measure designed to assess Attitudes TowardWorking Single Parents (AWSP). Study 1 consisted of content validation of items written to assess respondent attitudes regarding the effect of single parenthood on two dimensions viewed as most central to the life experiences of single parents: work and family. Study 2 involved exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis of the scores on the target measure. Finally, in Study 3, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate scale dimensionality, and discriminant, convergent, and subgroup validity coefficients were examined. The final scale may prove useful in guiding future research aimed at understanding the unique challenges faced byworking single parents.

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Reilly's Role Overload Scale

“…One third of children born in the United States today have single parents; the traditional American family of two adults with children at home is projected to make up only 20% of U.S. households by 2010 (Smith, 2004). Consequently, there has been a growing interest in research on single parents on a broad range of issues, such as measuring attitudes toward working single parents (Noble, Eby, Lockwood, & Allen, 2004) and assessing the effects of single-parent family structures on children (Page & Stevens, 2004).…”

Correlates of intake and disposition decisions by child protective services professionals.

“…These items were adapted from the Attitudes toward Working Single Parents scale developed by Noble, Eby, Lockwood, and Allen (2004). The complete scale, which includes 15 items, is designed to measure perceptions individuals have about single parents in the workplace.…”