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The stability of the Parental Bonding Instrument over a 20-year period

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 October 2004

KAY WILHELM ,
HEATHER NIVEN ,
GORDON PARKER  and
DUSAN HADZI-PAVLOVIC
KAY WILHELM
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Mood Disorders Unit, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
HEATHER NIVEN
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Mood Disorders Unit, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
GORDON PARKER
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Mood Disorders Unit, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
DUSAN HADZI-PAVLOVIC
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Mood Disorders Unit, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract

Background. The Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) measures the perception of being parented to the age of 16 years. Low scores on the care dimension and high scores on the overprotection dimension are considered to be risk factors of depression. While the PBI has been shown to be a reliable and valid instrument, the stability of the PBI over extended periods (taking into account individual characteristics and life experience) needs to be demonstrated.

Method. The PBI was measured in a non-clinical cohort on four waves between 1978 and 1998, along with a series of self-report measures including state depression and neuroticism. Differences in PBI change over time were examined by gender, lifetime major depression diagnosis, and life event variables, as well as by scores on neuroticism and state depression.

Results. Acceptable retest coefficients on PBI scores over the 20-year study were found for the cohort. No differences were found in PBI scores over time on the variables examined, including sex and depression measures.

Conclusions. The results indicate long-term stability of the PBI over time. The influences of mood state and life experience appear to have little effect on the stability of the perception of parenting as measured by the PBI. The present study increases confidence in the PBI as a valid measure of perceived parenting over extended time periods.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 35 , Issue 3 , April 2005 , pp. 387 - 393
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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