Reliability and Validity of the Perception of Parental Reciprocity Scale (POPRS) with Young Adolescents

The Perception of Parental Reciprocity Scale (POPRS) was originally developed with a late adolescent population to assess the extent of perceived reciprocity in adolescent-parent relations. This study examined the reliability and validity of using POPRS with younger adolescents. Subjects, 655 males and 636 females ranging in age from 13 to 18, were sampled to assess the psychometric properties of POPRS. The questionnaire package was administered during class time; 87 subjects were randomly chosen to complete POPRS on 2 separate occasions to assess test-retest reliability. One-hundred subjects, approximately 10 males and 10 females at each grade level, were independently interviewed and these responses were correlated with their scores on POPRS to assess criterion validity. Convergent validity was established via measures of self-esteem, consultant choice, parental attachment, attitude to private personal authority, and separation-individuation. Discriminant validity was demonstrated via three global statements. Open-ended interviews were used to assess criterion validity. Results demonstrated high reliability, construct, and criterion validity of the POPRS when extended to a younger adolescent population. (MM)