Psychometric Properties of the Helicopter Parenting Behaviour Questionnaire (HPBQ) Among Emerging Adults in India

Abstract The Helicopter Parenting Behavior Questionnaire (HPBQ; Schiffrin et al., 2014) is a well-validated self-report tool for assessing parental control in the lives of emerging adults, that has typically been used within Western contexts. Given the pervasiveness of such disruptive parenting styles within India, the prevelance of which ranges between 48% to 83%, there is value in systematically investigating the utility of the HPBQ in an Indian context. This study examined the HPBQ from the perspectives of both the mother's and father's behavior within a sample of 438 emerging adults (Mage = 21.53, SDage = 2.74; 225 females) using combined classical test theory and item response theory. Key findings include: (1) the original two-factor structure of [i] helicopter parenting, and [ii] autonomy supportive behavior, were confirmed with acceptable factor loadings and good internal consistency; (2) strong reliability, convergent validity, and divergent validity were observed; (3) the HPBQ functioned similarly across male and female responders; and (4) most items were easily endorsed by respondents. These results indicate that the HPBQ is valid for use within emerging adults in India and thus, this scale has potential to inform empirical research on helicopter parenting in this context as well as serving as a tool for those seeking to understand the impact of such parenting styles.