Evaluation of the psychometric properties of parent beliefs on children's emotions questionnaires: A <scp>COSMIN</scp> review

Abstract Objective This review assessed the psychometric quality of measures of parents' beliefs about their child's emotions to identify measures' strengths and weaknesses and provide recommendations to researchers and clinicians. Background There are various measures of parents' beliefs about their child's emotions, which typically cover how they interpret the meaning of and acceptableness of an emotional display. This construct is related to parent emotion socialization behaviors and a child's psychosocial adjustment. There is a need to improve understanding of parents' beliefs about their child's emotions to assist with developing various parenting interventions. Method Systematic searches across three databases identified seven measures and 10 studies with measurement validation as a study aim. The methodological quality and results of each study were rated according to COSMIN (COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) criteria. Results Most study participants were mothers with young children. Many items related to the acceptability of a child's emotional display, but item content varied across measures. Measurement quality varied across specific belief domains, and no studies assessed for test–retest reliability, measurement error, or responsiveness. Conclusion Though all measures had considerable limitations in validity and reliability, the Parents Beliefs' About Children's Emotions Scale (PBACE) had the highest quality evidence. Researchers and clinicians should interpret these measures with caution. Implications Findings of this review provide well‐informed recommendations to measurement selection in research and practice. Findings also reveal current patterns and gaps that inform future research efforts to improve understanding of the construct and inform parenting intervention research.