A Psychometric Evaluation of the Parenting Anxious Kids Rating Scale (PAKRS-PR) in a Sample of Families with Clinically Anxious Children.

Abstract

The Parenting Anxious Kids Rating Scale-Parent Report (PAKRS-PR) measures five types of anxiogenic parenting. The present study aimed to extend the previous psychometric evaluation of the PAKRS-PR to a treatment-seeking sample and examine sensitivity to change over 15 sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy. The sample included 383 parent-child dyads presenting to treatment at a specialty outpatient clinic. Cronbach's α was acceptable for the PAKRS-PR Total scale and several subscales, although the Accommodation/Beliefs and Warmth/Support subscales were in the unacceptable/questionable range. Convergent validity was found to be mixed with the closest relationship between anxiety severity and the Accommodation/Beliefs, Warmth/Support, and Conflict PAKRS-PR subscales. Additionally, the PAKRS-PR Total score and subscales changed significantly throughout treatment, but were not associated with treatment response or child- or clinician-rated treatment outcome measures. Overall, the current findings demonstrate some support for the psychometric properties of the PAKRS-PR; however, further refinement of the PAKRS-PR at the item-level is recommended to further strengthen the measure.