<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Large scale comparative studies, such as the value surveys (EVS and WVS) or the Eurobarometer, include measurements for parental/child-rearing values. This reflects a persistent interest for the topic, which produced salient studies starting with the first half of the twentieth century (Lynd and Lund 1929; Duvall 1946). Various scholars report data on parental values which use versions of the Q-sort methodology (Kohn 1977), ranking variables (Alwin 1990; Lenski 1961), scale indicators (Tulviste et al. 2007). Q-sort methodology remains the most widely employed. One of its versions is included in the value surveys as well. However, it fails to produce comparable indicators in different countries (Rabušic 2011; Xiao 2001) or at different moments in time (Wright and Wright 1976). This paper uses original data, provided by a Romanian convenience sample, to check if using various versions of the EVS/WVS items may lead to better ways to produce synthetic indicators for parental-values at individual level. SEM models are used to show that the best analytic solution would be to use individual items instead of producing summative indexes.</p></abstract>

Large scale comparative studies, such as the value surveys (EVS and WVS) or the Eurobarometer, include measurements for parental/child-rearing values. This reflects a persistent interest for the topic, which produced salient studies starting with the first half of the twentieth century (Lynd and Lund 1929; Duvall 1946). Various scholars report data on parental values which use versions of the Q-sort methodology (Kohn 1977), ranking variables (Alwin 1990; Lenski 1961), scale indicators (Tulviste et al. 2007). Q-sort methodology remains the most widely employed. One of its versions is included in the value surveys as well. However, it fails to produce comparable indicators in different countries (Rabušic 2011; Xiao 2001) or at different moments in time (Wright and Wright 1976). This paper uses original data, provided by a Romanian convenience sample, to check if using various versions of the EVS/WVS items may lead to better ways to produce synthetic indicators for parental-values at individual level. SEM models are used to show that the best analytic solution would be to use individual items instead of producing summative indexes.

Measuring Child-Rearing Values. A Research Note

CEPS/INSTEAD, 3 Avenue de la Fonte, L-4364 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg

Romanian Academy, Research Institute for the Quality of Life, 13 Calea 13 Septembrie, 050711 Bucureşti, Romania

Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Department of Sociology and Social Work, 2-4 Lucian Blaga, 550169 Sibiu, Romania

Social Change Review

{"article-title":"Measuring Child-Rearing Values. A Research Note"}

Large scale comparative studies, such as the value surveys (EVS and WVS) or the Eurobarometer, include measurements for parental/child-rearing values. This...

Measuring Child-Rearing Values. A Research Note

Published Online: Feb 13, 2014

Page range: 47 - 70

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scr-2013-0011

Keywords
Child-rearing/parental values Value surveys Measurement issues Rating vs. ranking

This content is open access.

Measuring Child-Rearing Values. A Research Note

Published Online: Feb 13, 2014

Page range: 47 - 70

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scr-2013-0011

KeywordsChild-rearing/parental values Value surveys Measurement issues Rating vs. ranking

This content is open access.

Keywords
Child-rearing/parental values Value surveys Measurement issues Rating vs. ranking