Bridging the Measurement Gap: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (BPSES) for Chinese Parents of Autistic Children

Abstract

Purpose: Parental self-efficacy (PSE), defined as parents’ belief in their ability to support their child’s development, plays a crucial role in family functioning and child outcomes. While the Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (BPSES) is a concise and validated tool, no Chinese version is currently available. This study aimed to translate the BPSES into Chinese (BPSES-C), evaluate its psychometric properties, and identify factors associated with PSE among parents of autistic children in China. Methods: The BPSES was translated using a rigorous translation and back-translation process. A total of 363 parents, including 315 mothers and 48 fathers of autistic children, completed the BPSES-C. Psychometric evaluation included analyses of internal consistency, convergent validity, and confirmatory factor structure. Robust regression with backward stepwise selection was used to explore predictors of PSE. Results: The BPSES-C demonstrated high internal consistency and strong convergent and structural validity. Higher autism severity in children was associated with lower PSE, while parents with a bachelor’s degree reported significantly higher PSE compared to those with a lower level of education. Conclusion: The BPSES-C is a psychometrically sound tool for assessing PSE among Chinese parents of autistic children, offering a culturally appropriate and efficient alternative to existing measures. Its validation supports broader research and clinical use in early autism intervention. Additionally, the identification of key predictors, such as child symptom severity and parental education level, highlights areas where targeted support can enhance parent engagement and empowerment.