Psychometric properties of the CESD, STAI-T, and PSS among parents of children with mental illness

ABSTRACT

This study examined psychometric properties of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), and Parental Stress Scale (PSS) in parents whose children have mental illness. The CESD, STAI-T, and PSS are commonly used to assess psychological distress among adults, but little evidence exists to support their use in these vulnerable parents. Data come from 99 parents of children with mental illness who were currently receiving inpatient or outpatient mental health services. We tested the factor structure of the CESD, STAI-T, and PSS; estimated internal consistencies; and, examined convergent validity and whether the measures differentiated across parent sex and indicators of socioeconomic disadvantage. The CESD, STAI-T, and PSS demonstrated adequate fit to their four, two, and two-factor structure, respectively. Internal consistencies were strong (α > .70) and correlations among the measures were moderate (ρ ≥ .40). Higher scores were found for female parents and those of lower socioeconomic status; however, differences were not statistically significant. The CESD, STAI-T, and PSS are valid and reliable in parents of children with mental illness. These measures may be useful as parental outcomes in the context of family centred care for children with mental illness.