Factor Structure and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Emotional Availability Self-Report

Background/Objectives: Emotional interactions between mothers and children are essential for later developmental outcomes such as children’s health, social competence, and language skills. However, an observational assessment of such interactions cannot reveal how mothers perceive their relationship...

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Main Authors: Nozomi Kanehira, Young Ae Kang, Eriko Suwa, Sugako Asaeda, Toshihiko Tsutsumi, Keiko Tsuji, Koudai Fukudome, Mina Nakano, Masamichi Yuzawa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/7/867
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author Nozomi Kanehira
Young Ae Kang
Eriko Suwa
Sugako Asaeda
Toshihiko Tsutsumi
Keiko Tsuji
Koudai Fukudome
Mina Nakano
Masamichi Yuzawa
author_facet Nozomi Kanehira
Young Ae Kang
Eriko Suwa
Sugako Asaeda
Toshihiko Tsutsumi
Keiko Tsuji
Koudai Fukudome
Mina Nakano
Masamichi Yuzawa
author_sort Nozomi Kanehira
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: Emotional interactions between mothers and children are essential for later developmental outcomes such as children’s health, social competence, and language skills. However, an observational assessment of such interactions cannot reveal how mothers perceive their relationships with their children. Therefore, in this study, we translated and validated the Japanese version of the Emotional Availability Self-Report (EA-SR-J) and examined its factor structure, reliability, and validity. Methods: The participants were 739 Japanese mothers with children aged from 1 month to 5 years and 11 months. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed 19 items and four factors (Affect Quality, Hostility, Mutual Attunement, and Child Involvement with Parent) for the EA-SR-J. However, Intrusiveness was removed, and some items were assigned to different factors compared with the original scale. Cronbach’s alpha of each subscale ranged from 0.81 to 0.88, indicating sufficient internal consistency. The convergent validity of the scale was confirmed with expected correlations with variables related to attachment and child-rearing style. Discriminant validity was confirmed by group differences in variables related to children’s autism spectrum disorder symptoms and mothers’ depression symptoms. Conclusions: Although the EA-SR-J contains fewer items than the original scale, with the Intrusiveness item removed, it remains a reliable and valid tool. Further studies using the Emotional Availability Scale based on observation are needed in the future.
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spelling doaj-art-a31e1899caa04a24baa19ec2ccb311422025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-06-0112786710.3390/children12070867Factor Structure and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Emotional Availability Self-ReportNozomi Kanehira0Young Ae Kang1Eriko Suwa2Sugako Asaeda3Toshihiko Tsutsumi4Keiko Tsuji5Koudai Fukudome6Mina Nakano7Masamichi Yuzawa8Department of Psychology, Fukuyama University, 985-1 Sanzo, Higashimura-cho, Fukuyama-shi 729-0292, Hiroshima, JapanClinic Ogura, 3-16-11 Wakabayashi, Setagaya-ku 154-0023, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Psychology, Mejiro University, 4-31-1 Naka-Ochiai, Shinjuku-ku 161-8539, Tokyo, JapanHiroshima City Mental Health and Welfare Center, 11-27 Fujimi-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi 730-0043, Hiroshima, JapanDepartment of Psychology, Osaka University of Human Sciences, 1-4-1 Shojaku, Settsu-shi 566-8501, Osaka, JapanSchool Counselor, Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education, 9-42 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi 730-0011, Hiroshima, JapanDepartment of Contemporary Human Sciences, St. Catherine University, 660 Hojo, Matsuyama-shi 799-2496, Ehime, JapanDepartment of Psychology, Fukuyama University, 985-1 Sanzo, Higashimura-cho, Fukuyama-shi 729-0292, Hiroshima, JapanGraduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-3-2 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima-shi 739-8511, Hiroshima, JapanBackground/Objectives: Emotional interactions between mothers and children are essential for later developmental outcomes such as children’s health, social competence, and language skills. However, an observational assessment of such interactions cannot reveal how mothers perceive their relationships with their children. Therefore, in this study, we translated and validated the Japanese version of the Emotional Availability Self-Report (EA-SR-J) and examined its factor structure, reliability, and validity. Methods: The participants were 739 Japanese mothers with children aged from 1 month to 5 years and 11 months. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed 19 items and four factors (Affect Quality, Hostility, Mutual Attunement, and Child Involvement with Parent) for the EA-SR-J. However, Intrusiveness was removed, and some items were assigned to different factors compared with the original scale. Cronbach’s alpha of each subscale ranged from 0.81 to 0.88, indicating sufficient internal consistency. The convergent validity of the scale was confirmed with expected correlations with variables related to attachment and child-rearing style. Discriminant validity was confirmed by group differences in variables related to children’s autism spectrum disorder symptoms and mothers’ depression symptoms. Conclusions: Although the EA-SR-J contains fewer items than the original scale, with the Intrusiveness item removed, it remains a reliable and valid tool. Further studies using the Emotional Availability Scale based on observation are needed in the future.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/7/867Emotional Availability Self-Reportmothers of infants and toddlersreliabilityvalidityJapan
spellingShingle Nozomi Kanehira
Young Ae Kang
Eriko Suwa
Sugako Asaeda
Toshihiko Tsutsumi
Keiko Tsuji
Koudai Fukudome
Mina Nakano
Masamichi Yuzawa
Factor Structure and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Emotional Availability Self-Report
Children
Emotional Availability Self-Report
mothers of infants and toddlers
reliability
validity
Japan
title Factor Structure and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Emotional Availability Self-Report
title_full Factor Structure and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Emotional Availability Self-Report
title_fullStr Factor Structure and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Emotional Availability Self-Report
title_full_unstemmed Factor Structure and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Emotional Availability Self-Report
title_short Factor Structure and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Emotional Availability Self-Report
title_sort factor structure and validity of the japanese version of the emotional availability self report
topic Emotional Availability Self-Report
mothers of infants and toddlers
reliability
validity
Japan
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/7/867
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