The PSI takes about 30 minutes to complete and is rather involved.
It consists of 120 questions in a booklet and can be completed online or by hand.
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.
The PSI begins with questions that invite the parent to rate thechilds behavior.
Halfway through the assessment, the questions will shift to ask parents to rate themselves.
It is often used in child custody cases and by child welfare professionals.
Aside from being used in child custody cases, the PSI can be used in medical and school parameters.
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 childrens lives.
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.
Many say it takes a village to raise a family, so reach out for support.
Instead, reach out to a professional for support and call 911 if youre in an emergency.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse.Parenting Stress Index (PSI).
The National Child Traumatic Stress online grid.Parenting Stress Index, Full-Length Version.
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