Parentification
1. Are you the only child in your household?
Yes 1
No 0
Refuse to Answer 8
If Question 1 is equal to 1, then skip to instruction before Question 3.
2. Are you the oldest child in your household?
Yes 1
No 0
Refuse to Answer 8
Each of the following questions asks about a slightly different adult responsibility.
Please tell me how often you took on each responsibility during the past three months.
Please answer the following questions with very often, often, occasionally, rarely, or
never.
Response Categories:
Very often 1
Often 2
Occasionally 3
Rarely 4
Never 5
Refuse to Answer 8
Not Applicable 9
3. Your parent(s) asked for your advice when making a decision about your
siblings' misbehavior.
4. Your parent(s) shared intimate secrets (e.g., concerning relationships and/or
sexual issues) with you
5. Your parent(s) discussed their financial issues and problems with you.
6. Your mother shared personal problems or concerns with you as if you were
another adult.
7. Your father shared personal problems or concerns with you as if you were
another adult.
8. One parent would come to you to discuss the other parent.
9. Your parents would argue, and you would end up on the side of one of them.
10. One (or both) of your parents asked for your input (rather than another adult's
or the other parent) when making an important decision.
11. Your parent(s) let you have a lot of influence when making important adult
decisions.
12. You were the mediator or "go-between" when a conflict arose between your
parents.
13. You consoled your parent(s) when they were distressed.
14. When your parent(s) were, or are, physically ill, you were (or are) responsible
for taking care of them.
15. Your parent(s) sought your advice on adult matters.
16. You restored peace if conflicts developed between your parents.
If Question 1 is equal to 1, then skip to Question 29.
17. You babysat for your younger sibling(s).
18. Your parent(s) were away for more than 24 hours, and you were the main
person who assumed responsibility for your siblings.
19. When your sibling(s) had a personal concern, they came to you for advice.
20. You were responsible for bathing your siblings.
21. When your sibling(s) had problems you took a lot of responsibility for solving
them.
22. You were responsible for dressing your sibling(s) or ensuring that they got
dressed.
23. You were responsible for deciding to take action if one of your siblings
misbehaved, even when your parent(s) were present.
24. You were the mediator or "go-between" when a conflict arose between your
sibling(s).
25. You made rules, spoken or unspoken, for your sibling(s).
26. You would decide what time your sibling(s) went to bed for the evening, even
when your parent(s) were home.
27. You provided emotional support and/or comfort for your sibling(s).
28. Your sibling(s) came to you when they were having difficulties with your
parent(s).
29. You did the laundry for members of your family.
30. You made dinner for members of your family.
31. You cleaned the house for your family.
32. You did the dishes for your family.
