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Development and Validation of a Parental Monitoring Instrument: Measuring How Parents Monitor Adolescents' Activities and Risk Behaviors

West Virginia University, scottrell{at}hsc.wvu.edu

Steven Branstetter

West Virginia University

Lesley Cottrell

West Virginia University

Carole V. Harris

West Virginia University

Carrie Rishel

West Virginia University

Bonita F. Stanton

Children's Hospital, Wayne State University

The aim of this article is to describe the development and validation of the Parental Monitoring Instrument (PMI). The PMI was administered to a sample of 518 parent—adolescent (aged 12 to 17 years) dyads. Initial findings provide evidence of instrument reliability and validity. The exploratory factor analysis results suggested a seven-factor solution that explained approximately 48% of the variance. An analysis of the questions reveals reasonable interpretations of the seven factors: direct, indirect, restrictive, school, health, computer, and phone monitoring. Administration of the PMI may further our understanding of how parental monitoring is associated with adolescent activities and risk behaviors, setting the stage for informed strategies to improve parent—adolescent relationships.

Key Words: parental monitoring • adolescent risk behavior

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The Family Journal, Vol. 15, No. 4, 328-335 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1066480707303748


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Cottrell, S. A. Articles by Stanton, B. F. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?