Validation of the Interview for the Assessment of Parental Competencies (ECP-12)

Abstract

Parental competencies constitute core components of family support initiatives. Although there are self-reported measures to assess parental competencies among the Spanish-speaking population, few instruments applicable to families at psychosocial risk, from a comprehensive understanding of said competencies, have been rigorously validated. The main aim of this study was to develop and validate an instrument to measure parental competencies with caregivers that benefit from family support initiatives in the child welfare setting. Over an initial version of the Interview for the Assessment of Parental Competencies (ECP-12), we conducted an expert judgment and analyzed the internal structure of the instrument using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA, CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), reliability analyses, and validity evidence based on relationships with other variables. The results supported an ESEM bifactor model comprising 53 items, which proved to be valid and reliable for assessing 12 parental competencies and the overall construct.