Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Parental Closeness and Multidimensional Scaling with Other Parenting Models

Abstract:     
The study developed an instrument that measures parental closeness and its factor structure is tested using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The factors of parental closeness are further analyzed by clustering it together with other parenting concepts using Multidimensional Scaling. In a preliminary factor analysis, four factors are extracted with the test having an overall reliability of .97. In a second exploratory factor analysis, four factors were again extracted where bonding, support, and communication remained stable but a new factor emerged termed as succorance. The reliability of the entire scale is .94. The factor structure of two models was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The result of the CFA showed that a better goodness of fit results from all the four factors entered separately for parental closeness (RMS=0.072). In the multidimensional scaling, three clusters were formed (coercive interaction, parenting practices, and parenting styles) among all 20 parenting concepts in a region-like pattern.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 14

Keywords: parental closeness, parenting styles, parental practices, multidimesional scaling, scale development

Accepted Paper Series