Adaptation and validation of the Korean version of the parental perception of uncertainty scale (K-PPUS) in parents of children with developmental disabilities

Abstract

Background

Parents of children with developmental disabilities face mental health challenges due to ongoing uncertainty, which affects parenting and family functioning. Reliable and valid scales are essential to assess this uncertainty effectively.

Aim

This study translated and culturally adapted the Parental Perception of Uncertainty Scale (PPUS) into Korean for use with parents of children with developmental disabilities and evaluated its psychometric properties.

Methods

The translation followed a rigorous process, including forward and backward translation, expert panel reviews, and pilot testing. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted with 314 and 298 participants, respectively, using a cross-sectional design. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega.

Results

The final Korean version of the PPUS (K-PPUS) comprises 14 items across three factors: ambiguity, unpredictability, and lack of information. The scale demonstrated satisfactory content, construct, convergent, discriminant validity, and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88, McDonald's ω = 0.89).

Conclusions

The K-PPUS was found to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing the uncertainty experienced by parents of children with developmental disabilities, providing a foundation for future intervention research to improve these families' quality of life.