A Psychometric Evaluation of the Parent Self-Efficacy in Managing the Transition to School Scale.

Abstract

The psychometric properties of the Parent Self-efficacy in Managing the Transition to School Scale (PSMTSS) were investigated with a sample of 763 mothers whose children were starting primary school in Australia. Exploratory factor analysis identified two factors, Efficacy and Worry, accounting for 56.6% of the total variance in parent self-efficacy scores. These factors were demonstrated to have excellent internal consistency. Convergent validity of the PSMTSS was established using the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) as a criterion measure. Finally, preliminary analyses reveal a significant relationship between parent self-efficacy to manage the transition to school and children's school adjustment outcomes. Implications for future school transition and parental self-efficacy research are discussed.