Parents’ representation of their children: en exploratory study using the Osgood semantic differential scale.

The results of an exploratory national study carried out in Italy using Osgood's Semantic Differential Scales (Osgood, Suci, & Tannenbaum, 1957) with patents of 100 normal 6- to 11-yr.-old children in mainstream classrooms are reported. The aim was to devise a simple tool to be used to explore parents' perceptions of their children in this age group. Parents were asked to rate "my child" using some of Osgood's semantíc Differential Scales especially adapted for thís study. Participants were 97 fathers and 100 mothers. Fathers were 32 to 57 years of age (M=43.2 SD=5.4), mothers were 29 to 49 years oÎ age (M=39.7, SD=4.4). In factor analysis four factors were identified: Activity, Evaluation, Emotions evoked by the child, Personality/ Physícal contact. Average factor scores were significantly different. There were no significant differences between fathers and mothers on the four factor scores. Children were more positively evaluated the younger they were.