Introduction
The adaptation of psychological assessment tools across different cultural contexts is crucial for understanding parent-child relationships. One such tool is the Parental Attachment Recognition Scale (PARS), which has been adapted for Turkish parents of preschool children. This article presents the essential features of the Turkish adaptation of the PARS, including its development, structure, scoring system, and reliability.
Scale Overview
The Parental Attachment Recognition Scale is designed to assess mothers’ early experiences of attachment with their parents during the preschool period. The scale consists of three subscales: Emotional Attachment, Parent-Child Communication, and Parental Impressions. Each subscale corresponds to various aspects of attachment experiences and parental behaviors.
Scale Development and Structure
The scale was adapted by Sema Soydan, Devlet Alakoç, Gülsüm Akış, and Büşra Durmaz (2025) in their study titled “Adapting the Parental Attachment Recognition Scale for Parents Nurturing Preschool Children into Turkish,” published in the *Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education*. The original scale was developed by Tanaka (2020) to examine the attachment experiences of mothers raising preschool children.
The Turkish version includes a total of 27 items across three subscales:
1. **Emotional Attachment**: This subscale captures the attitudes of parents regarding their children’s initiatives and reflects parents’ feelings towards their children. Items might include statements like, “My family has always given me a sense of confidence that I am loved.”
2. **Parent-Child Communication**: This subscale focuses on the interactions between parents and children that are crucial for developing a secure attachment.
3. **Parental Impressions**: This subscale reflects how parents perceive their own childhood experiences with their parents, providing insight into the quality of their attachment during their formative years.
Certain items, specifically 1, 4, 25, 26, and 27, are reverse scored to ensure accuracy in responses. The scale utilizes a 7-point Likert-type format to assess participants’ experiences.
Validity and Reliability
The validation study for the Turkish adaptation involved 639 parents, demonstrating significant reliability in measuring the intended constructs. The Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients for the various subscales were calculated as follows:
– Parental Impressions: 0.83
– Parent-Child Communication: 0.94
– Emotional Attachment: 0.93
– Overall scale: 0.83
Additionally, confirmatory factor analysis revealed a Comparative Fit Index (CFI) of 0.90 and a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) of 0.08, indicating an adequate model fit.
Target Population and Application
The Parental Attachment Recognition Scale is designed for application among parents of preschool children, specifically those aged 3-6 years. This scale aims to provide insights into attachment behaviors, communication patterns, and emotional bonds between parents and children.
Conclusion
The adaptation of the Parental Attachment Recognition Scale for Turkish parents is a significant step in understanding parent-child dynamics within this cultural context. With validated reliability and a clear structure, this scale provides a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners working with families and children.
Soydan, S., Alakoç, D., Akış, G. & Durmaz, B. (2025). Adapting the Parental Attachment Recognition Scale for Parents Nurturing Preschool Children into Turkish. *Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, 14*(1), 297-308. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.14686/buefad.1358283
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