What Is the Parenting Stress Index?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesConsiderationsWays to Decrease Parenting Stress

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Table of Contents

Uses

Considerations

Ways to Decrease Parenting Stress

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The Parenting Stress Index (PSI) is an assessment tool used to measure the stress between a parent and child.

In assessing the parent, there are categories that focus on competence,isolation, health,depression, marriage status, andhealthy attachment. There is a range of characteristics for children, including distractibility, demandingness, and mood.

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Uses of the Parenting Stress Index

Parents ofchildren up to 12 years oldcan use this tool. While this assessment tool is used to intervene and provide support in parent-child relationships where there is a risk forabuseandneglect,it raises important questions about how a parent is responding to their child.

The PSI begins with questions that invite the parent to rate thechild’s behavior. Halfway through the assessment, the questions will shift to ask parents to rate themselves.

Is Your Child Dealing With Stress?

Considerations for Using the Parenting Stress Index

While the PSI is used in clinical settings, it has received criticism for use outside ofclinicalsettings.

Critics say the PSI is too long, which is understandable considering it contains 120 questions. Critics also say the PSI can be seen as highly invasive.

The Parental Stress Scale (PSS) was created in response to these concerns. It is just 18 questions long and focuses on how parents view their roles in their children’s lives. This is seen as a unique trait since the PSI focuses heavily onstressand tension points amongst both the children and parents. The PSS also focuses on pleasure and the stress associated with childhood.

Due to the nature of the PSI, it is best administered with the support of a professional. However, if you’re curious to learn more about how stress impacts your experience as a parent, then the PSS may be for you.

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An Overview of Stress Management

A Word From Verywell

Even amid stress, know you are not alone. Many say it takes a village to raise a family, so reach out for support. You can call 988 to be connected to mental health services in this area or can learn more abouthow to find a therapist here. Thanks toteletherapy, you don’t have to worry about finding childcare and can hold sessions from the comfort of your home.

If you are concerned about someone in your life and the safety of their children, do not attempt to administer the PSI scale yourself. Instead, reach out to a professional for support and call 911 if you’re in an emergency.

If you are a victim of child abuse or know someone who might be, call or text theChildhelp National Child Abuse Hotlineat1-800-422-4453to speak with a professional crisis counselor.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are a victim of child abuse or know someone who might be, call or text theChildhelp National Child Abuse Hotlineat1-800-422-4453to speak with a professional crisis counselor.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse.Parenting Stress Index (PSI).The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.Parenting Stress Index, Full-Length Version.Nærde A, Hukkelberg SS.An examination of validity and reliability of the Parental Stress Scale in a population based sample of Norwegian parents.PLOS ONE. 2020;15(12):e0242735. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242735

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse.Parenting Stress Index (PSI).The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.Parenting Stress Index, Full-Length Version.Nærde A, Hukkelberg SS.An examination of validity and reliability of the Parental Stress Scale in a population based sample of Norwegian parents.PLOS ONE. 2020;15(12):e0242735. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242735

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse.Parenting Stress Index (PSI).The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.Parenting Stress Index, Full-Length Version.Nærde A, Hukkelberg SS.An examination of validity and reliability of the Parental Stress Scale in a population based sample of Norwegian parents.PLOS ONE. 2020;15(12):e0242735. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242735

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse.Parenting Stress Index (PSI).

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.Parenting Stress Index, Full-Length Version.

Nærde A, Hukkelberg SS.An examination of validity and reliability of the Parental Stress Scale in a population based sample of Norwegian parents.PLOS ONE. 2020;15(12):e0242735. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242735

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