Translation and preliminary validation of a Korean version of the parental reflective functioning questionnaire

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the factor structure, reliability, and validity of a Korean translation of the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ). The PRFQ consists of three subscales: prementalizing modes, certainty about mental states, and interest and curiosity in mental states. A convenience sample of 163 Korean parents completed the K‐PRFQ. Exploratory factor analysis showed three factors mapped on to the original PRFQ factors, but items from the original prementalizing modes subscale clustered into two additional factors. Data from a subsample (n = 67) showed that the certainty about mental states and interest and curiosity in mental states subscales correlated positively with more optimal self‐reported parenting. We discuss the validity of using the PRFQ in collectivistic cultures.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire in Chinese Parents

“…In summary, the three-factor structure of the Chinese version of the PRFQ was verified in Chinese parents after removing some items, which was consistent with previous studies in Western countries (Luyten et al, 2017;Pazzagli et al, 2018;De Roo et al, 2019;Gordo et al, 2020) but different from the results in a Korean sample (Lee et al, 2021). The three-factor structure of the original PRFQ was not appropriate in the Korean sample even after removing some items as the modification indices suggested (Lee et al, 2021). There are some possible reasons for this result.…”

“…First, although it has a collectivistic culture, in recent years, China has imported and integrated individualistic values from the Western world, which influences parents' theories about raising children. Secondly, the sample in this study comprised parents with school-aged children, while Lee et al (2021)'s research focused on Korean parents with children 0 to 5 years of age. The structure of PRF may be different in parents with children of different ages.…”

“…De Roo et al (2019 found a clear three-factor structure without item 11 and item 18 in Canadian parents with children aged from 0 to 12 years. For the Korean sample, however, Lee et al (2021) found that the pre-mentalization factor of the original PRFQ was not appropriate.…”

Explaining the relation between early mind-mindedness and children’s mentalizing abilities: The development of an observational preschool assessment.

“…For example, authoritarian parenting practices involving high levels of control and discipline are considered normative in East Asian cultures, where filial piety is highly valued (e.g., Choi, Kim, Kim, & Park, 2013). Recent research also shows that South Korean parents report high levels of confidence in their ability to know exactly what their young children are thinking and feeling (Lee, Meins, & Larkin, 2021).…”

Parental Reflective Functioning and Its Association With Parenting Behaviors in Infancy and Early Childhood: A Systematic Review

“…Overall, the specific contribution of PRF and its sub-dimensions in the context of early parenting is still not fully understood. Moreover, it is also relevant to consider the variability of methodological factors in the study settings and further contextual factors regarding the broader social and cultural environment that potentially influence both parental mentalizing ability ( Lee et al, 2020 ; Sleed et al, 2020 ) and parenting practice ( Kotchick and Forehand, 2002 ). Since PRF has often been investigated in high-risk samples ( Sleed et al, 2020 ), it is presumably essential to consider the influence of such contextual factors.…”