Parental Stress Scale (Berry and Jones 1995)

Various iterations of the Parental Stress Scale have been used in most child-age

waves of Growing Up in Ireland. There are four subscales in the full measure –

stressors, rewards, satisfaction and ‘lack of control’ – but some waves of Growing Up

in Ireland have used just the ‘stressors’ subscale (including Cohort 08 at age 3). Ideally

all subscales from the Parental Stress Scale would be included for Cohort 24 at 3 to

give a more rounded view of the parent’s experience but if space were limited,

including at least the ‘stressors’ subscale would give allow for both cross-cohort

comparisons and longitudinal consistency with Cohort 24 at 9 months.

Recommendations for Cohort 24 at 3 years:

•Repeat CES-D (8) measure of depressive symptoms as used with Cohort 24 at 9 months and Cohort 08 at 3

•Repeat the WHO well-being index as used with Cohort 24 at 9 months

•Repeat the Parental Stress Scale, but could consider using just the ‘stressors’ subscale as per Cohort 08 at 3

•Repeat factual questions on treatment for depression, anxiety etc as used with Cohort 24 at 9 months but adjust response windows for the change in child age

•Include the single item on self-rated parental efficacy as used with Cohort 08 at 3

Parental relationship