Validation of a Child Planned Activities Training for Measuring Parent-Child Interaction Practices among Families in Ngong, Kajiado County

Abstract

Parent-child interactions determine several aspects of child outcomes ranging from social- emotional competence, language and cognitive competence among others and therefore impact the development of the child. The benefits of effective parentchild interactions include academic success, school readiness, proper development of a child, prevention of child maltreatment, and reduced child aggression. The purpose of the study was to validate the adapted Child Planned Activities Training (cPAT) as a tool for measuring parent-child interaction practices among selected families at Ngong area, Kajiado County. The study objectives were: To assess the interrater reliability, test-retest reliability and determine construct validity of the tool. Additionally, determine the parents’ knowledge on the importance of parent-child interactions practices and analyse the types of parent-child interaction among the families based on Attachment and Ecological Systems theories by Bowlby and Bronfenbrenner respectively. Using nonprobability sampling method and convenience sampling, 30 caregivers whose children were between ages 2 and 5 years old participated in this study. Mixed method study design was used, and questionnaires were used to collect data from the participants. Interrater reliability, test-retest reliability and construct validity of the instrument were calculated using percentage agreement and Pearson’s r correlation coefficient. The instrument demonstrated an interrater reliability of an average between 80-100% and correlation coefficient r of between 0.8 and 0.9 and a construct validity of 60% when authoritative parenting style construct was measured. The findings are useful to caregivers, service providers and policy makers in strengthening parent-child interactions and adds to knowledge on parent-child interactions in Kenya.