Exploratory Factor Analysis of Observational Parent–Child Interaction Data

Abstract

The majority of studies using observational coding systems for family interaction data derive scales describing family members’ behaviors based on rational/theoretical approaches. This study explored an empirical approach to identifying the component structure of parent–child observational data that incorporated the affective context of the interaction. Dyads of 155 typically developing 8-year-olds and their mothers completed questionnaires and two interaction tasks, one each designed to illicit positive and negative interactions. Behaviors were coded based on a modified version of the Family Interaction Macro-coding System. Multiple factor analysis identified four-component solutions for th..