Construction and initial validation of the parenting regulatory focus scale

Abstract

Objective We present parenting regulatory focus as a theoretical framework to understand parenting goal motivations and describe the development and validation of a 16‐item Parenting Regulatory Focus Scale. Background Most parenting research is focused on parenting behaviors, but it is also important to understand the goal motivations behind parental approaches to raising children. Method We used two independent samples (N1 = 856; N2 = 497) to validate the Parenting Regulatory Focus Scale as a two‐factor structure composed of promotion‐ and prevention‐based parenting regulatory focus. Across two studies, we tested the construct validity of the Parenting Regulatory Focus Scale through correlations with general regulatory focus, parents' personality traits, child temperament, parenting styles and behaviors, and child adjustment. Results The scale scores demonstrated good internal reliabilities (αs = .86–.91), as well as 2‐week (αpromotion = .65, αprevention = .77) and 6‐month test–rest reliabilities (αpromotion = .61, αprevention = .66). Path analysis supported the relationship between parenting regulatory focus and child adjustment as mediated by parenting styles and behaviors. Conclusions and Implications The Parenting Regulatory Focus Scale is a promising tool that can contribute to parenting research and tailoring of parenting interventions.

The effect of parental regulatory focus on the loneliness stigma of college children

“…As shown in regulatory focus theory, parenting styles and parent-child relationship patterns are pivotal in shaping the regulatory focus tendencies of the children [21]. Evidence from cross-sectional and longitudinal studies indicates that parents' regulatory focus can influence their own parenting choices, which in turn affects the development of their children's regulatory focus [22,23]. Promotion-focused parents favor a bolstering mode that not only facilitates the child in gaining pleasure and favorable outcomes, but also benefits him or her in focusing on progress and growth and in gaining achievement, hope, and ambition [24].…”