Parenting Stress Index (PSI) 3rd Edition
Richard R. Abidin, EdD

The Parenting Stress Index (PSI), designed to identify stressful areas in parent-child interactions, has now been updated based upon customer feedback, and new forms which are easier to score and easier to profile, have now been constructed.

This screening and diagnostic instrument was developed on the basis that the total stress a parent experiences is a function of certain salient child characteristics, parent characteristics, and situations that are directly related to the role of being a parent.

The child characteristics are measured in 6 subscales: distractibility/hyperactivity, adaptability, reinforces parent, demandingness, mood, and acceptability. The parent personality and situational variables component consists of 7 subscales: competence, isolation attachment, health, role restriction, depression, and spouse. The PSI is particularly helpful in:

• Early identification of dysfunctional parent-child systems
• Prevention programs aimed at reducing stress
• Intervention and treatment planning in high stress areas
• Family functioning and parenting skills
• Assessment of child-abuse risk
• Forensic evaluation for child custody

Update Edition

• Expanded administration and scoring information
• An updated bibliography and research list
• An all-in-one answer, scoring and profiling form
• An easier-to-score carbonless short form
• Easier scoring for Defensive Responding

Description

The manual has 118 pages of information, including additional reference group profiles and case illustrations, Hispanic norms, and expanded norms by age. A 5th grade reading level is required.

The PSI consists of a 101-item test booklet with an optional 19-item Life Stress scale; and a new, all-in-one self-scoring answer sheet/profile form. It yields 17 scores, including 7 Child Domain scores, 8 Parent Domain scores, and a Total Stress score, plus the optional Life Stress score.

The PSI Short Form is a direct derivative of the full-length test and consists of a 36-item self-scoring questionnaire/profile. It yields a Total Stress score from 3 scales: parental distress, parent-child dysfunctional interaction, and difficult child.