Development and Initial Validation of the Children’s Optimistic and Pessimistic Expectations of Relationships Scale
Author(s)
McGregor, Leanne
Zimmer-Gembeck, Melanie J
Creed, Peter
Year published
2012
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Theory suggests that children's developing conceptions and views of relationship are important outcomes of social experiences, which can affect later relationships and mental health. However, research has been limited because no measure is currently available that captures children's pessimistic and optimistic expectations of relationships. Two studies were conducted with children (aged 9 to 12 years) with the purpose of developing such ameasure (Study 1 n = 226; Study 2 n = 200). Exploratory and confirmatory analyses resulted in a final measure that included eight items measuring optimistic relationship expectations and ...
View more >Theory suggests that children's developing conceptions and views of relationship are important outcomes of social experiences, which can affect later relationships and mental health. However, research has been limited because no measure is currently available that captures children's pessimistic and optimistic expectations of relationships. Two studies were conducted with children (aged 9 to 12 years) with the purpose of developing such ameasure (Study 1 n = 226; Study 2 n = 200). Exploratory and confirmatory analyses resulted in a final measure that included eight items measuring optimistic relationship expectations and eight items measuring pessimistic expectations. The two subscales formed distinct factors were moderately correlated, and were reliable and valid when tested against measures of rejection sensitivity, social competence, relationships with peers and parents, personality, and self-presentation. The new Children's Optimistic and Pessimistic Expectations of Relationships Scale (COPER) will be useful in future studies testing children's relationship expectations.
View less >
View more >Theory suggests that children's developing conceptions and views of relationship are important outcomes of social experiences, which can affect later relationships and mental health. However, research has been limited because no measure is currently available that captures children's pessimistic and optimistic expectations of relationships. Two studies were conducted with children (aged 9 to 12 years) with the purpose of developing such ameasure (Study 1 n = 226; Study 2 n = 200). Exploratory and confirmatory analyses resulted in a final measure that included eight items measuring optimistic relationship expectations and eight items measuring pessimistic expectations. The two subscales formed distinct factors were moderately correlated, and were reliable and valid when tested against measures of rejection sensitivity, social competence, relationships with peers and parents, personality, and self-presentation. The new Children's Optimistic and Pessimistic Expectations of Relationships Scale (COPER) will be useful in future studies testing children's relationship expectations.
View less >
Journal Title
Australian Psychologist
Volume
47
Issue
1
Subject
Psychological methodology, design and analysis
Cognitive and computational psychology
Psychology