A pilot study to assess Coparenting Across Family Structures (CoPAFS)

Abstract

Coparenting is conceptualized as a construct decoupled from gender role and family structure, referring to negotiated activities and relational aspects of two caregivers working together to raise a child. The purpose of this study is to test the construct validity and internal consistency of a newly constructed coparenting measure in a sample of parents with minor children still living in the home. Two hundred fifty-two parents completed a SurveyMonkey questionnaire online. Despite efforts to recruit a diverse sample, this pilot drew a Caucasian, educated, mostly female sample. They were more diverse in terms of marital status, hence the focus for this pilot. Psychometric properties of the 56-item CoPAFS scale and the 9 subscales composing the measure were calculated on the basis of the total sample. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were conducted with a maximal likelihood estimation method for each of the 9 subscales. All domains were significant and ranged between .641 (Facilitative coparenting and Conflict) and .952 (Respect and the CoPAFS as a whole), and internal consistency was stable across family structures (cohabitating or separated). Good model fit was obtained across family structures, but gender comparisons will need to await a more diverse sample. Although distinct domains of coparenting were assessed and found to predict the model, the findings point to the importance of identifying a singular dimension underlying coparenting. This may best enable agencies to assess partners’ valuing of and potential to work together in child care. Implications for interventions are briefly discussed.