Parental Protective Factors in Turkey: Validation of the Parents’ Assessment of Protective Factors

Background Parental protective factors play a critical role in preventing child abuse and neglect. The Parents’ Assessment of Protective Factors (PAPF) is a validated instrument for assessing strengths-based parenting attributes, but a culturally adapted version has not been available for Turkish families. Objective This study aimed to adapt the PAPF for use in Turkey (PAPF-TR) and evaluate its reliability, validity, and cultural suitability. Participants and Setting The study was conducted between February and June 2024 in Istanbul with a population-based sample of 516 parents of children aged 0–8 years, ensuring representation of both mothers and fathers. Methods In this cross-sectional study, participants completed the PAPF-TR and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, factor analyses, test–retest reliability, and item discrimination. Correlations and regression analyses were used to examine associations between protective factors, ACE scores, and sociodemographic variables. Results The PAPF-TR demonstrated excellent reliability and strong construct validity. Test–retest analyses confirmed stability over time. Higher protective factor scores were associated with being married and having higher education, whereas older parental age and greater ACE exposure predicted lower protective factor levels. Protective factor scores were inversely correlated with ACE exposure, supporting the scale’s validity. Conclusions The PAPF-TR is a reliable and valid tool for assessing parental protective factors in Turkey. Its strong psychometric performance supports its use in both research and applied settings and provides an empirical foundation for the development of culturally relevant family-based prevention programs.