title: Measuring Parenting Throughout Adolescence: Measurement Invariance Across Informants, Mean Level, and Differential Continuity.
abstract: This study examined the structural validity of the parenting concept throughout adolescence. First, we examined whether an established five-dimension parenting model including support, proactive control, punitive control, harsh punitive control, and psychological control, showed longitudinal invariance across time (i.e., early, middle, and late adolescence) and measurement invariance across informants (i.e., mothers, fathers, and adolescents). Second, patterns of continuity and discontinuity in these dimensions were examined from the perspective of the different informants. In a four-wave accelerated longitudinal study with 1,111 adolescents and their parents, a multigroup structural equation modelling showed partial scalar invariance across adolescence and across informants. Subsequent growth modelling indicated that parenting was relatively stable over time and that similar patterns were present for mother, father, and adolescent ratings of parenting. Future research on associations between parenting and adolescent development can build on the findings of this study, given that comparing perspectives on parenting by different informants and over time seems to be valid.
authors.affiliation: 1 KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Martijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Heel
authors.affiliation: 1 KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bijttebier
authors.affiliation: 1 KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Claes
authors.affiliation: 1 KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Colpin
authors.affiliation: 1 KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.affiliation: 1 KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van Den Noortgate
authors.affiliation: 1 KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Verschueren
authors.affiliation: 1 KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Leeuwen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015588:Observer Variation; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D011678:Punishment; D012944:Social Support
keywords: adolescence; differential continuity; growth modelling; longitudinal; measurement invariance; multiple informants; parenting