Knowledge of Effective Parenting Test (KEPT)

The Knowledge of Effective Parenting Test (KEPT) is an assessment system that uses realistic, scenario-based questions to objectively measure how well parents understand the parenting skills taught in evidence-based behavioral and cognitive-behavioral programs. By asking parents to choose the most effective response to true-to-life situations rather than self-report their own behavior, the KEPT delivers an objective measure of applied parenting knowledge that minimizes the social-desirability bias common to traditional questionnaires.

Description

The KEPT presents respondents with realistic parenting vignettes and asks them to select the most effective response from multiple-choice options, yielding an objective measure of applied knowledge rather than a self-report of behavior. It is organized into two complementary modules. The Externalizing Module (KEPT-E) assesses knowledge of strategies for disruptive behavior—covering praise, rewards, attending and ignoring, effective commands, and consequences—while the Internalizing Module (KEPT-I) assesses strategies for child anxiety and depression, including exposure and encouraging bravery, relaxation, warmth and involvement, behavioral activation, reducing criticism, and cognitive reframing. Each module is offered in multiple formats to fit different research needs: full-length versions (21 items for KEPT-E, 22 for KEPT-I), 10-item brief versions, and computerized adaptive testing (CAT) versions with automatic scoring. The adaptive format tailors item selection to each respondent, preserving measurement precision while reducing administration burden—making the KEPT well suited to large-scale and digital intervention studies.

Applications

- Parenting intervention research: Measuring acquisition of skills taught in parent management training and CBT programs.
- Treatment outcome and clinical trials: Serving as an outcome measure and indicator of treatment engagement in parent-focused interventions for childhood behavioral and emotional disorders.
- Digital and large-scale studies: Online and adaptive administration supports scalable deployment in digital intervention trials.
- Implementation and dissemination science: Assessing knowledge transfer when evidence-based programs are rolled out across providers or systems.
- Clinical and training settings: Evaluating parent learning and identifying knowledge gaps within parenting programs.

Advantages

- Objective measurement: Scenario-based items assess applied knowledge directly, rather than relying on parents' self-reported behavior.
- Reduced response bias: Vignette format minimizes the social-desirability effects that distort traditional parenting questionnaires.
- Comprehensive coverage: Dedicated modules address parenting strategies for both externalizing (disruptive) and internalizing (anxiety/depression) child problems.
- Flexible administration: Available in full-length, brief, and computerized adaptive formats to match diverse study designs and time constraints.
- Strong, proven psychometrics: Demonstrates good reliability, validity, and sensitivity across multiple large and diverse samples.

Invention Readiness

The KEPT is a fully developed and validated assessment system with established psychometric support across multiple national research samples. Both the Externalizing (KEPT-E) and Internalizing (KEPT-I) modules have demonstrated strong reliability and construct validity and are available in full-length, brief, and computerized adaptive testing formats with standardized administration and scoring procedures. Validation has been documented across four published studies spanning development, validation, and computerized adaptive testing for both modules. The system is ready for adoption in research, clinical trial, and implementation settings; further work would center on extending validation to additional populations, languages, and applied service contexts.

IP Status

Related Publication(s)

Lindhiem, O., Vaughn-Coaxum, R. A., Higa, J., Harris, J. L., Kolko, D. J., & Pilkonis, P. A. (2019). Development and validation of the Knowledge of Effective Parenting Test (KEPT) in a nationally representative sample. Psychological Assessment, 31(6), 781–792. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000699

Lindhiem, O., Vaughn-Coaxum, R. A., Harris, J. L., & Kolko, D. J. (2020). A Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) for knowledge of parent management skills: Prototype development and preliminary psychometrics. Journal of Family Psychology, 34(6), 752–758. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000641

Lindhiem, O., Yu, L., Vaughn-Coaxum, R. A., Toevs, E. K., Angus, A. R., Kolko, D. J., Silk, J. S., & Pilkonis, P. A. (2025). Knowledge of Effective Parenting Test - Internalizing Module (KEPT-I): Development and Validation in a National Sample. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2025.2541355

Lindhiem, O., Gallagher, H. D., Tomlinson, C. S., Vaughn-Coaxum, R., Kolko, D. J., Pilkonis, P. A., & Yu, L. (2026). A Computerized Adaptive Test for the Knowledge of Effective Parenting Test–Internalizing Module: Instrument Validation Study. JMIR Formative Research, 10(1), e81646. https://doi.org/10.2196/81646