Parenting Sense of Competency (PSOC) Scale is a 16-item measure of parental self-esteem in caring for their children. The scale contains two subscales: Satisfaction (parenting frustration, anxiety and motivation) and Efficacy (competence, problem-solving ability and capacity in parenting role).
Geographies Tested: Canada
Populations Included: Female, Male
Age Range: Adults
1. The problems of taking care of a child are easy to solve once you know how your actions affect your child, an understanding I have acquired.*
2. Even though being a parent can be rewarding, I am frustrated now while my child is at his/her present age.
3. I go to bed the same way I wake up in the morning, feeling I have not accomplished a whole lot.
4. I do not know why it is, but sometimes when I'm supposed to be in control, I feel more like the one being manipulated.
5. My mother/father was better prepared to be a good mother/father than I am.
6. I would make a fine model for a new mother/father to follow in order to learn what she/he would need to know in order to be a good parent.*
7. Being a parent is manageable, and any problems are easily solved.*
8. A difficult problem in being a parent is not knowing whether you're doing a good job or a bad one.
9. Sometimes I feel like I'm not getting anything done.
10. I meet my own personal expectations for expertise in caring for my child.*
11. If anyone can find the answer to what is troubling my cild, I am the one.*
12. My talents and interests are in other areas, not in being a parent.
13. Considering how long I've been a mother/father, I feel thoroughly familiar with this role.*
14. If being a mother/father of a child were only more interesting, I would be motivated to do a better job a parent.
15. I honestly believe I have all the skills necessary to be a good mother/father to my child.*
16. Being a parent makes me tense and anxious.
Response Options:
6-point Likert scale
Strongly agree - 1
Strongly disagree - 7
The PSOC scale is made up of two subscales: Satisfaction (items 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16) and Efficacy (items 1, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15). Items 1, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15, and 17 are reserve scored. The sum of all items is calculated for the individual subscales or for the total 16-item scale. Higher scores indicate higher self-esteem.
Johnston, C., & Mash, E. J. (1989). A measure of parenting satisfaction and efficacy. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 18(2), 167-175. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp1802_8
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