This study evaluated the psychometric properties (factor structure, internal consistency, measurement invariance, and convergent validity) of the O'Leary-Porter Scale (OPS), a 10-item caregiver-report measure of overt interparental hostility witnessed by children, in caregivers (n=752) of children aged 2–9 across North Macedonia, Moldova, and Romania.
Removing item 10 (reverse-scored 'display affection') and correlating one item pair improved model fit; the final 9-item model showed moderate-to-strong loadings, good internal consistency, and metric invariance across all three countries. Convergent validity with caregiver distress, parenting stress, couple satisfaction, and positive parenting was consistent but variable in effect size.
- Sample limited to three Eastern European/Balkan countries enrolled in a parenting program, limiting generalizability to other cultural contexts. - Caregivers were part of a program trial, which may introduce selection bias. - Only metric (not scalar) invariance was established, restricting cross-country mean comparisons.
The OPS can be used as a valid, culturally transferable tool for measuring children's exposure to interparental hostility outside the US, but drop item 10 and consider the 9-item version for improved psychometric performance. Researchers and clinicians in non-US settings should note that full scalar invariance was not confirmed, so direct cross-country score comparisons require caution.
Explore related topics
