title: Parenting quality: Confirmation of a higher-order latent construct with mothers of Head Start children.
abstract: We proposed a higher order latent construct of parenting young children, parenting quality. This higher-order latent construct comprises five component constructs: demographic protection, psychological distress, psychosocial maturity, moral and cognitive reflectivity, and parenting attitudes and beliefs. We evaluated this model with data provided by 199 mothers of 4-year-old children enrolled in Head Start. The model was confirmed with only one adjustment suggested by modification indices. Final RMSEA was .05, CFI .96, and NNFI .94, indicating good model fit. Results were interpreted as emphasizing the interdependence of psychological and environmental demands on parenting. Implications of the model for teachers, early interventionists, and public policy are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hubbs-Tait
authors.forename: Melanie C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Page
authors.forename: Erron L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Huey
authors.forename: Huei-Juang
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Starost
authors.forename: Anne McDonald
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Culp
authors.forename: Rex E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Culp
authors.forename: M Elizabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Harper