PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Child Adjustment and Parent Efficacy Scale (CAPES-Malay) and assess the relationship between parental self-efficacy (PSE) and adolescent mental health. CAPES was translated into Malay and administered to 478 parents of adolescents aged 10-14. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the robustness of the CAPES-Malay psychometric properties, demonstrating its reliability and validity. CAPES-Malay consists of two scales: 1) Parent Self-efficacy and 2) Child Adjustment, which comprises Emotional and Behavioural Problems (EBP) and Competence subscales. Pearson’s correlation showed PSE had a strong negative correlation with adolescent EBP, but a moderate positive correlation with adolescent competence. Strengthening PSE in managing adolescent emotional and behavioural challenges and competence contributes to positive adolescent mental health and fosters a better family environment. Overall, CAPES-Malay demonstrates potential as an assessment tool to gauge the levels of PSE, EBP and competence of early adolescents. Further research is necessary to evaluate the psychometric properties of CAPES-Malay before its extensive implementation.