Differential Child Perceptions of the Parents’ Care and Concerns as a Custody Measure: the Children’s Preference Scale (CPS)

The aim of this study was to design an instrument of a fast but psychometrically reliable instrument to determine which parent is best suited to hold custody of the child in cases where just one parent should have the custody, the Children’s Preference Scale (CPS). This scale is based on children’s opinions of how their parents behave towards them. Sample was incidental and non-probabilistic (468 children and 88 parents). An ad hoc children’s preferences scale was designed for this study. Questions were expressed as the minors’ opinions about the types of behaviour of each parent performs towards them. A version of the Mac-IV Scale and The Interaction Process Analysis Scale of Bales, was administered to parents. The results indicated que CPS satisfied the psychometric requirements. The scale is brief and fast to apply, making it particularly apt for determining which parent is best suited to hold custody from the children’s perspective. Previous studies have forgotten the importance of two variables of great importance for children when determining their attachment: help with homework and communication. This scale takes into account these variables.