The article presents two experiments validating the dimensional model of parenting by Skinner, Johnson, and Snyder (2005). This model synthesizes various constructs related to parent-child relations from the recent literature. On the basis of a broad literature review, this model distinguishes three conceptual dimensions: warmth – rejection, structure – chaos, and autonomy support – coercion. Skinner et al. (2005)’s model was intended to integrate a number of theoretical constructs of parent-child relations. Thus, the distinguishability of its constituent parts is key. The following article describes a validation of the model in Poland. The first study was carried out on a sample of 969 adolescents, and the second – on a sample of 269 parents. In the adolescent sample, the measurement model achieved a good fit to data, but the individual constructs were highly intercorrelated, which weakened the rationale for distinguishing them. In the parent sample, high correlations between the constructs led to a poor fit to data. Thus, only a general measure of parent-child relation quality was obtained. A bi-factor analysis was also ran to determine the role of specific factors generated alongside the general factor. The validation was a partial success in the parent sample, for which a short version of the questionnaire measuring warmth, structure, and autonomy support was developed.
Parental autonomy support in relation to preschool aged children’s behavior: Examining positive guidance, negative control, and responsiveness
