Newest Version of Parenting Stress Index Helps Clinicians Identify Parent-Child Problem Areas

LUTZ, Fla., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PAR, Inc. has released the latest edition of its popular Parenting Stress Index™ (PSI™).

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Designed to evaluate the magnitude of stress in the parent-child system, the PSI-4 is a 120-item inventory that focuses on three major domains of stressor source: child characteristics, parent characteristics, and situational/demographic life stress.

Parenting stress is an important factor in child development. "High levels of parenting stress are associated with and predict a wide range of dysfunctional parenting behavior and negative child outcomes," says Dr. Richard Abidin, professor of clinical and school psychology at the University of Virginia and author of the PSI-4. "Reduced sensitivity, lack of warmth, harsh—if not abusive—and neglecting behaviors, and the inability to provide a secure and supportive home environment can negatively impact children's psychological development and educational competence." The test provides information that may be used for designing a treatment plan, for setting priorities for intervention, and/or for follow-up evaluation.

Though the original structure was retained, the PSI was revised to improve the psychometric characteristics of individual items and to update item wording to more clearly tap into the target construct or behavioral pattern.

New norms are organized by each year of child age. Percentiles—the primary interpretive framework for the PSI-4—and T scores are provided. The PSI is especially useful for non-English-speakers—studies suggest that it is valid for a variety of foreign populations.

The PSI-4 Short Form, which enables you to screen for parent-child problem areas, has also been revised. 

Interested parties should visit the company's Web site, www.parinc.com, or call 1.800.331.8378 for more information.

Founded in 1978, PAR is a leading publisher of assessment instruments, software, and other related materials. Over the past three decades, PAR has earned a reputation for providing customers with innovative assessment solutions and unparalleled customer service.

SOURCE PAR, Inc.