This tool has received the Measurement Tools Rating of
A – Psychometrics Well-Demonstrated based on the published, peer-reviewed research available. The tool must have 2 or more published, peer-reviewed studies that have established the measure’s psychometrics (e.g., reliability and validity, sensitivity and specificity, etc.). Please see the
Measurement Tools Rating Scale for more information.
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All Research Articles
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Comfort, M., & Gordon, P. R. (2006). The Keys to Interactive Parenting Scale (KIPS): A practical observational assessment of parenting behavior. NHSA Dialog: A Research-to-Practice Journal for the Early Intervention Field, 9(1), 22-48.
Number of participants: 101 caregiver child dyads.
Population:
- Race/Ethnicity — 59% African American, 27% Caucasian, 9% Latino, 4% Asian
Summary:
The KIPS was used with a sample of caregiver child dyads, including some parents in a residential substance abuse program for mothers; fathers and stepfathers in a study of a Head Start program; and two community samples used to design trainings. Inter-rater reliability was assessed with two coders, showing high inter-rater agreement. Construct validity was measured by looking at the association of the KIPS with the Parent Child Interaction Scale (PCIS). Analysis found that the KIPS was associated with the Quality subscale of the PCIS, but not with other subscales. Researchers also assessed face validity through provider focus groups and by comparing KIPS items to lists of behaviors important to assess parenting that were generated by participants at national Child Welfare conferences. In a second study, 20 family service providers were recruited from Parents as Teachers, and Early Head Start for a field test. Results showed that the practitioners could reliably use the assessment.
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Comfort, M., Gordon, P. R., & Naples, D. (2011). KIPS: An evidence-based tool for assessing parenting strengths and needs in diverse families, Infants & Young Children, 24(1), 56-74.
Number of participants: Construct Validity Study – 397 parents/caregivers
Criterion Validity Study – 130 parents/caregivers
Population:
- Race/Ethnicity — Construct Validity Study – 52% African Americans, 33% Whites, 9% Latino, and 6% Other
Criterion Validity Study – 42% African Americans, 40% Whites, 12% Latino, and 7% Other
Summary:
The study aimed to examine the construct validity of Keys to Interactive Parenting Scale (KIPS) with diverse families in three racial/ethnic groups and to assess its criterion validity with two well-established measures. Sixty-seven family support workers (FSWs) volunteered to participate from 11 Healthy Families Virginia (HFV) programs across Virginia. Families listed in their case loads were randomly selected and invited to participate. The FSWs filmed 20 minutes of free play between each participating parent (or caregiver) and his or her child, ages 2 months through 5 years and 11 months, in the home or familiar community setting. After the video, the parent completed two study questionnaires, the Family Info Form and the Knowledge of Child Development Scale (KCDS). The FSW completed the Staff Rating of Caregiver Engagement (SRCE) and provided a copy of the child's recent Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), completed within 3 weeks of the video session. Comparison of KIPS mean scores indicated no significant difference by parent race/ethnicity. KIPS mean scores were positively associated with caregiver age (adults > teens), marital status (married > single), and education (college > high school or less). The results of the test-retest study demonstrated high correlation of KIPS mean scores. For the construct validity study, KIPS scores correlated significantly with the FSW's rating of caregiver engagement in services, but not with other service factors including months enrolled in the program, frequency of visits, and home visit completion rate. Significant correlations of KIPS mean scores also were found with parent knowledge of child development and behavioral expectations. For the criterion validity study, a subgroup of 130 families volunteered to participate in two additional assessments, the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale (NCATS) and Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME). The results showed significant positive correlations of KIPS mean scores with NCATS and HOME subscale scores.
