Review of Instruments Assessing Parenting Competencies used in Child Custody Evaluations

Abstract

The following instruments of parenting capacity that are currently used in child custody evaluations are reviewed: The Ackerman–Schoendorf Scales for Parent Evaluation of Custody (ASPECT), the Bricklin Perceptual Scales and Perception of Relationships Test, the Child Abuse Potential Inventory, the Parent–Child Relationship Inventory, and the Parenting Stress Index. Each instrument is described, as well as research on the measure's norms, reliability, validity, and generalizability. The measures are discussed with regard to their approach in assessing parental effectiveness and principles of test construction.

Reliability and validity of the Parent-Child Relationship Inventory (PCRI): Evidence from a longitudinal cross-informant investigation.

“…Nunnally and Bernstein (1994) proposed that test-retest evidence is primary in the assessment of reliability. This aligns with the recommendation by Heinze and Grisso (1996) to study the stability of the PCRI over a longer interval than the 5-month period provided by Gerard (1994). We found 1-year stability for all scales for both parents.…”

Translation and Validation of the Chinese Version of Parent–Child Relationship Inventory (PCRI-C) in Hong Kong

“…This measure is useful in Education and Psychology particularly in clinical settings and custody evaluations (see also Coffman, Guerin, and Gottfried 2006), and the PCRI was originally validated involving parents from four major geographical regions in the United States -Northeast, South, Midwest, and West (Gerard 1994). Further validation studies were conducted to check the applicability of the original English version of this measure (i.e., Boothroyd 1998;Coffman, Guerin, and Gottfried 2006;Heinze and Grisso 1996;Marchant and Paulson 1998). However, to our knowledge, there has been no attempt to translate the original English version of PCRI into another language familiar to any Asian group of participants.…”

A Comprehensive Guide to Child Custody Evaluations: Mental Health and Legal Perspectives

“…28. The ASPECT's conceptual problems have been discussed by a number of writers, including Connell, 2005;Heinze and Grisso, 1996;Maccoby and Mnookin, 1992;Melton et al, 1997;Otto et al, 2000;and Shuman, 2002. 29.…”