Scale Overview
The Measure of Parental Style – MOPS was developed by Parker, G., Roussos, J., Hadzi-Pavlovic, D., Mitchell, P., Wilhelm, K., & Austin, M-P. (1997). It is designed to measure Dysfunctional parenting styles (Indifference, Abuse, Overcontrol). The scale is intended for use with Adults (retrospective report).
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 15 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Indifference, Abuse, Overcontrol.
| Factor / Subscale |
Items |
N |
| Indifference |
5,8,10,11,12,13 |
6 |
| Abuse |
2,7,9,14,15 |
5 |
| Overcontrol |
1,3,4,6 |
4 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not true at all, 1 = Slightly true, 2 = Moderately true, 3 = Extremely true.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 45. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low perceived dysfunctional parenting: 0 – 15
- Moderate perceived dysfunctional parenting: 16 – 30
- High perceived dysfunctional parenting: 31 – 45
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.