Measurement Invariance of the Regulation of Emotions in Parenting Scale (REPS): Psychometric Validation Across Ethnoracial Groups

Parental emotion regulation is crucial for parent-child interactions and child psychological outcomes. However, limited research has examined whether the Regulation of Emotions in Parenting Scale (REPS) functions equivalently across ethnoracial groups, raising concerns about measurement bias. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the REPS, including measurement invariance, reliability, and differential validity, across an ethnically diverse sample of <i>n</i> = 1,408 parents. Using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis, we tested configural, metric, and scalar invariance. While configural and metric invariance were supported, full scalar invariance was not. A partial scalar invariance model, allowing three item intercepts to vary, showed acceptable fit. McDonald's omega coefficients indicated strong internal reliability across all subscales and racial groups. Multiple regression analyses tested differential validity and found no significant interaction effects, supporting consistent predictive validity. These findings confirm the REPS as a reliable tool for diverse populations. Future research should explore REPS applicability across sociocultural contexts.