The Caregiving Experiences Questionnaire: A Cross-Cultural Validation: Poster 16

Background: Early research in attachment hypothesized that parents’ state of mind regarding attachment explained the intergenerational transmission of attachment from parent to child. Meta-analyses found that there was not always a direct link between the two. As a result, many researchers began investigating ways to better understand intergenerational attachment, including examining the caregiving system. Research so far has utilized methodologies that are primarily interview based, which can be time and cost prohibitive. In order to address the need for a simpler method, the Caregiving Experiences Questionnaire (Brennan, George, & Solomon, 2013) was developed and validated in a US population. The questionnaire includes 5 scales which are associated with caregiving representation defensive processes: one organized secure scale, two scales of organized insecurity, and two scales of disorganized insecurity. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to collect data which examined the cross-cultural validity and reliability of the measure for use in the UK. The wording of two items was changed to better reflect the British English language. Method: Mothers of children aged 1.5-5 years (n = 88) who spoke British English as their first language and were living in the UK were recruited online. They completed the Caregiving Experiences Questionnaire, the Child Behaviour Checklist (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1990) and the Parenting Stress Index – Short Form (Abidin, 1995). Results: Some scales were more reliable than others, Cronbach’s alphas for the defensive processing scales ranged from .44-.79. Correlations between measures were found in the hypothesized directions, but not all were significant. Interpretation: An overrepresentation of security in the current sample might have affected reliability and validity. Conclusions: Further research with a more diverse sample might determine if this measure is valid for use in a UK population. References: Abidin, R. R. (1995). Parenting stress index (3rd ed.). Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources. Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. (1990). Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist and Revised Child Behavior Profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry. Brennan, J., George, C., & Solomon, J. (2013) The Caregiving Experiences Questionnaire: Age 1 1/2 to 5 years. Unpublished manuscript. Oakland, CA: Mills College