Abstract
This study examines the advisability to distinguish dimensions of discipline, by evaluating the Dimensions of Discipline Inventory
(DDI, Straus and Fauchier 2007) in a sample of Belgian undergraduate students (N = 371) who retrospectively reported on their mothers’ and fathers’ discipline behaviors aimed at correcting child misbehavior
at age 10. First, confirmatory factor analyses showed that a model with nine factors fitted the data best, but also a model
with four second-order factors was acceptable. Second, a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis with a Belgian and a U.S.
sample (N = 633) provided additional evidence for the nine-factor structure. Correlations between DDI scales and other parenting related
variables demonstrated meaningful relations. Additionally, some DDI subscales were associated with measures of current problem
behavior. To conclude, the present study illustrated that it is both useful and possible to differentiate between discipline
constructs.
(DDI, Straus and Fauchier 2007) in a sample of Belgian undergraduate students (N = 371) who retrospectively reported on their mothers’ and fathers’ discipline behaviors aimed at correcting child misbehavior
at age 10. First, confirmatory factor analyses showed that a model with nine factors fitted the data best, but also a model
with four second-order factors was acceptable. Second, a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis with a Belgian and a U.S.
sample (N = 633) provided additional evidence for the nine-factor structure. Correlations between DDI scales and other parenting related
variables demonstrated meaningful relations. Additionally, some DDI subscales were associated with measures of current problem
behavior. To conclude, the present study illustrated that it is both useful and possible to differentiate between discipline
constructs.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10862-012-9278-5
- Authors
- Karla G. Van Leeuwen, Parenting and Special Education Research Group, K. U. Leuven, Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 32, box 3765, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Angèle Fauchier, Family Research Laboratory, University of New Hamphire, Durham, NH, USA
- Murray A. Straus, Family Research Laboratory, University of New Hamphire, Durham, NH, USA
- Journal Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
- Online ISSN 1573-3505
- Print ISSN 0882-2689