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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Jul 1.
Published in final edited form as: Nurs Res. 2016 Jul-Aug;65(4):331–338. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000163

Table 1. Variables and Measurement for Psychological Data Collection.

Variable Conceptual definition Description/measure
PSI/SF Parenting Stress Index, Short Form Characteristics associated with parenting stress and dysfunctional parenting

  • PSI/SF, 3rd ed.a 36-item questionnaire; five-point Likert scale; three subscales summed to produce a total stress score. Subscale reliability (α) range: .85-.87, total stress score α = .91.a The PSI-SF has been validated in an ethnically diverse sample of caregivers at a Head Start program with good reliability (Total Stress: α = .94).b
PBC Parent Behavior Checklist Multiple aspects of childrearing, including developmental expectations, discipline and nurturing

  • PBC consists of 100 items scored on a Likert scale. Reported reliability estimates are good to excellent (range = .82-.97)c
PSDQ Parenting Styles and Dimension Questionnaire Assesses parenting practices within three parenting typologies: Authoritative, Authoritarian and Permissive

  • PSDQ has 62 statements scored on a Likert scale. Adequate subscale reliability (Authoritative: α = .84; Authoritarian: α = .74; Permissive: α = .73)d
EOD Experiences of Discrimination Measures self-reported experiences of discrimination in adults (women only, children's experiences of discrimination not assessed in this study) in 11 areas including gender, race, age, and skin color

  • EOD scale has nine items, and has reliability in a diverse sample (26% Black) (α = .74 or higher)e
RES Race-Related Events Scale Assesses exposure to stressful and potentially traumatizing experiences of race-related stress in adults (women only, children's experiences of discrimination not assessed in this study)

  • RES has 23 items.f Respondents indicate if they have experienced an event (yes/no). The RES had good reliability (α = .78-.88) in a sample of ethnically diverse caregivers of children enrolled in Head Start.g
SOS Stress Overload Scale Measures feelings of powerlessness and the burden of demands

  • SOS measures stress in the last week via 24 questions scored on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from not at all to a lot.h Reliability was high in a diverse sample (α = .95).h
CSI Coping Strategy Indicator Measures three main coping strategies: Seeking support, Problem Solving, and Avoidance

  • CSI has 33 items rated on a Likert scale.i Higher scores indicate greater use of the strategy. Reliability in a neighborhood sample was good (Seeking Support, α = .93; Problem Solving, α = .89; Avoidance, α = .84).i
VIA Vancouver Index of Acculturation Acculturation is defined as the process of adaptation to customs, behaviors and attitudes of a new culture;j may influence relationships between experiences of discrimination and health outcomes; assesses two values: Heritage and behaviors associated with Mainstream culture

  • VIA is a bidimensional instrument validated in diverse ethnic samples. It has shown high reliability in each of its dimensions (Heritage: α = .91; Mainstream: α = .87).k
BDI Beck Depression Inventory Used to assess maternal mental health, including symptoms of sadness, guilt, agitation, sleep loss and appetite loss.

  • BDI contains 21 items scored based on severity indicated for each symptom.lExcellent reliability among low-income, African American medical outpatients (N= 220) (α = .90).m
DEM Demographics Demographic data (age, gender, education, health insurance status, cigarette smoking, income, employment status, family structure, family health history (including hypertension, birth history)

  • Demographic data survey may contain up to 160 questions, depending on whether participants endorse “yes” responses to questions or not.

Note. Demographic variables are collected using ACASI at baseline and updated as needed on subsequent occasions. All other variables are measured on each study occasion using ACASI (T1 = Time 1 (Enrollment); T2 = Time 2 (six months postenrollment); T3 = Time 3 (12 months postenrollment); T4 = Time 4 (18 months postenrollment). ACASI = Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing.