Introduction
The Healthy Families Parenting Inventory (HFPI) is a 63-item self-report measure of parenting-related domains, designed to assess outcomes in home visitation programs. Judy Krysik and Craig Winston LeCroy published its validation in 2012 in the Infant Mental Health Journal, after developing an initial version around 2004.
The HFPI identifies both risk factors and strengths, so it can guide service planning and evaluate whether interventions work. This guide explains its nine subscales, red-flag items and scoring.
Key Features of the Healthy Families Parenting Inventory (HFPI)
Purpose and Use
The HFPI measures changes in parenting-related domains in home visitation programs. It was designed for diverse participant populations and to be sensitive to change, so it suits tracking progress over time. Its nine subscales can also be used on their own for targeted assessment.
Target Population
The HFPI is intended for adult parents of children from birth onward. It is not age-normed for parents.
Structure
The HFPI has 63 items in nine domains:
Domain
What it covers
Items
Range
Social Support
Emotional and practical help from family, friends or others
5
5–25
Problem Solving
Managing daily stress and resolving difficulties
6
6–30
Depression
Depressive symptoms that could affect parental well-being
9
9–45
Personal Care
Basic self-care habits, such as sleep and time for oneself
5
5–25
Mobilizing Resources
Finding and using community services and help
6
6–30
Role Satisfaction
How fulfilled and comfortable the person feels as a parent
6
6–30
Parent/Child Interaction
Patience, responding to the child's needs and positive words
10
10–50
Home Environment
Safety, routines and organization of the home for child-rearing
10
10–50
Parenting Efficacy
Confidence in raising and caring for the child
6
6–30
The inventory uses positively and negatively worded statements. Seven "red flag" questions point to critical needs that need immediate attention, and ten "strength indicators" help identify family assets for service planning.
Scoring Method
Each item is rated on a 5-point frequency scale: 1 = rarely or never, 2 = a little of the time, 3 = some of the time, 4 = a good part of the time and 5 = always or most of the time.
Reverse scoring: negatively worded items are reverse scored.Subscale scores: sum the items in each of the nine domains.Red flags: a raw score of 4 or 5 on any red-flag question requires immediate supervisor consultation.Higher subscale scores indicate more positive functioning, for example more social support or less depression. There is no single cut-off for the whole inventory, but the scoring materials give low-score thresholds for each subscale (for example, Social Support 17 or below and Depression 33 or below).
Administration Format
The HFPI is a self-report inventory used within home visitation programs.
Applications of the Healthy Families Parenting Inventory (HFPI)
The HFPI supports several uses:
Program evaluation: assessing outcomes of home visitation programs.Service planning: using strength indicators and risk factors to plan support.Safety checks: flagging critical needs through the red-flag items.Progress tracking: monitoring change in parenting over time.Languages and availability
The original validation is published in the Infant Mental Health Journal, and a further validation study has been published. For translation requests, contact LeCroy & Milligan Associates (details below).
The HFPI is also described by EdInstruments, and a copy of the outcome measure is available.
Reliability and Validity
The HFPI has shown robust psychometric properties across validation studies, which support its use in both research and practice.
Validation studies:
Development and initial validation of an outcome measure for home visitation: the Healthy Families Parenting Inventory (2012): study linkFurther validation study: study linkLimitations and Considerations
Keep these points in mind:
No overall cut-off: there is no single cut-off for the 63-item inventory.No age norms: the HFPI is not age-normed for parents.Red flags: a raw score of 4 or 5 on a red-flag question requires immediate supervisor consultation.No short form: there is no official short form or separate edition of the full inventory.Other Versions And Related Questionnaires
There is no official short form or separate edition of the complete 63-item inventory, but its nine subscales can be used independently.
These questionnaires are related:
Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI)Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME)Parenting Stress Index (PSI)Additional Resources
The original article: linkThe HFPI on EdInstruments: linkFor inquiries, contact Craig W. LeCroy, Arizona State University School of Social Work, at craig.lecroy@asu.edu. For translation requests, email kerry@lecroymilligan.com or visit LeCroy & Milligan Associates.Browse more public health questionnaires in the ResRef database.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the Healthy Families Parenting Inventory measure?The HFPI measures nine parenting-related domains, including social support, problem solving, depression, parent/child interaction, home environment and parenting efficacy, to assess outcomes in home visitation programs.
How is the HFPI scored?Each of the 63 items is rated from 1 (rarely or never) to 5 (always or most of the time). Negatively worded items are reverse scored, and the items in each of the nine domains are summed.
What are the HFPI red flag questions?Seven red-flag questions point to critical needs. A raw score of 4 or 5 on any of them requires immediate supervisor consultation, alongside ten strength indicators that highlight family assets.
Does the HFPI have a cut-off score?There is no single cut-off for the whole inventory. Instead, the scoring materials give low-score thresholds for each subscale, such as 17 or below for Social Support.
A Word from ResRef About the Healthy Families Parenting Inventory (HFPI)
The Healthy Families Parenting Inventory (HFPI) stands out as a comprehensive, evidence-based tool specifically designed for home visitation contexts. Its strength lies in its dual purpose: evaluating program outcomes while also providing actionable clinical insights through its red flag system and strength indicators. The robust psychometric properties demonstrated across validation studies support its use in both research and practice settings, and its ecological approach, assessing individual, family and community-level factors, aligns well with contemporary family support models.
References
Krysik, J., & Lecroy, C. W. (2012). Development and initial validation of an outcome measure for home visitation: The healthy families parenting inventory. Infant Mental Health Journal, 33(5), 496–505. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21343