Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of the Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales (PAFAS) in an Iranian Sample

Abstract

Background: Understanding the risk and protective factors of parenting is essential for family-based interventions or therapies. A valid and reliable scale to measure this construct is needed to achieve this goal. Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales (PAFAS) and investigate its psychometric properties in the Iranian population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,053 parents during 2020 - 2021. Data were collected using social media applications, with convenience sampling employed. Participants completed the PAFAS. Intraclass correlation was used to assess test-retest reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to investigate construct validity. Data analysis was conducted using Cronbach’s alpha, CFA, and correlation coefficients with AMOS and SPSS 26 software. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the parenting subscale comprised four constructs, while the family adjustment subscale comprised three constructs. Fit indices for the Parenting Questionnaire were RMSEA = 0.06, IFI = 0.96, CFI = 0.96, GFI = 0.93, and X2/DF = 4.859. Fit indices for the Adjustment Questionnaire were RMSEA = 0.05, IFI = 0.96, CFI = 0.96, GFI = 0.96, and X2/DF = 4.663. Test-retest results over two weeks (n = 30) showed correlation coefficients for the PAFAS and their components ranged from 0.76 to 0.91. Conclusions: The scales demonstrate satisfactory validity and reliability for measuring parenting problems and family adaptation in parents with children aged 2 to 12 years.