The underlying structure of parental involvement–home environment in music

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the underlying multifaceted structure of home environment in music using a factor analysis methodology, and to create a scale that reflects this structure. Students from a major metropolitan area in the southeastern United States (N = 523) enrolled in general music classes, orchestra classes, band classes, and chorus classes in grades 4–12 completed a 99-item pool measure. Items were created based on previous research in music education and education. A factor analysis of the item measure identified seven parental involvement–home environment in music factors: Home Musical Structure, Attitudes Toward Music, Home Musical Environment, Music Program Support, Parental Expectations, Family Musical Participation, and Family Musical Background. Six items for each factor were selected for the final scale based on factor loadings and to measure unique aspects of each factor. The MANOVA revealed that five of the seven factors (Home Musical Structure, Attitudes Toward Music, Home Musical Environment, Music Program Support, and Family Musical Participation) differed by sample characteristics.