Title : Child-Parent Relationship Scale – Short Form (CPRS-SF)
Purpose : To assess the perception of parents of their relationship with their child using the
Child-Parent Relationship Scale – Short Form (CPRS-SF) developed by Kevin Driscoll and
Robert C. Pianta (2011)
Respondent : Parent of child aged aged 3 years to 12 years
Description
The Pianta Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS) is a self-report instrument completed by
mothers and fathers that assesses parents’ perceptions of their relationships with their sons
and daughters. It is a very widely used self-report instrument and taps into both positive and
negative aspects of the parent-child relationship. Items for the test were derived from
attachment theory
The CPRS is made up of 30 statements and the short form consists of 15 statements about the
child and the parent’s interactions with him/her. The 15 items are rated on 5-point Likert
scales and the ratings can be summed into groups of items corresponding to conflict and
closeness subscales. The conflict subscale (8 items) measures the degree to which a parent
feels that his or her relationship with a child is characterized by negativity. The seven-item
closeness scale assesses the extent to which a parent feels that the relationship is
characterized by warmth, affection, and open communication. The conflict and closeness
scales of the CPRS represent two distinct domains of parent-child relationships.
There has been little psychometric work undertaken with the Pianta short form, but analysis
of the 3 year Growing Up in Ireland data (Wave 2) yielded alpha coefficients of 0.72 and 0.58
for the Conflicts and Positive Aspects of the scale respectively.
Administration
The CPSR - SF is a self-completion questionnaire. For the administration of the test, the
environment is to be comfortable with adequate lighting and free from distractions. The
respondent is to be provided with a pencil and a flat surface, ideally a desk, along with the
questionnaire. The respondent’s clarity of vision is to be considered. If respondents wear
spectacles, it is necessary to ensure that they are using it during test administration. The
examiner must motivate the respondent for completion of the task of responding to the entire
questionnaire.
Scoring and Interpretation
The parent/primary caregiver responds to 15 statements concerned with their interactions
with their child, by rating their responses on a five-point scale, with answer options of
Definitely does not apply (1) / Not really (2) / Neutral, not sure (3) / Applies somewhat (4) /
Definitely applies (5). Ratings are then summed into groups of items corresponding to
conflict and closeness subscales.
Scores for the conflict subscale range between 8-40. A higher score on the conflict questions
suggest parents feel their relationship with their child is characterised by negativity.
Therefore, a lower score is desirable on the conflict subscale. Scores for the closeness
subscale range between 7-35. A higher score on the closeness questions suggest the
parent/child relationship is characterised by warmth, affection and open communication.
Therefore, a higher score is desirable on the closeness subscale.
