The development of the protective factors survey, 2nd edition: A self-report measure of protective factors against child maltreatment

Background: The Protective Factors Survey (PFS) is a self-report measure of multiple family-level protective factors against abuse and neglect. It is the only peer-reviewed valid and reliable tool collecting data on multiple protective factors, and is widely used by practitioners in child abuse prevention and related fields. Objective: The objective of this study was to revise the PFS in response to feedback from practitioners, and analyze the internal structure of new items. Participants and setting: Data was collected from two Qualtrics panel samples (N = 213 and N = 109). Methods: A team of researchers generated new items informed by the literature on protective factors against child maltreatment and best practices in survey design to address feedback from the field and improve sensitivity to change. We conducted focus groups with caregivers and practitioners to review new items, and then fielded revised items using panel data. We conducted exploratory factor analyses to obtain a small, integrated set of items that tap the targeted protective factors. Results: Exploratory factor analyses yield a five-factor solution. Four of the factors consisting of Family Functioning and Resilience, Nurturing and Attachment, Social Supports, and Concrete Supports. A fifth factor emerged consisting of items intended to capture Social Supports. We adapted these items to measure Caregiver/Practitioner Relationship. Conclusions: We have developed the PFS, 2nd Edition based on feedback from the field and focus groups with parents and practitioners. Initial evidence from the panel data suggests that the new subscales are internally consistent. Future research will establish reliability and validity.