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Parenting self-efficacy after childbirth
Anne H Salonen1, Marja Kaunonen, Päivi Astedt-Kurki
1Department of Nursing Science, Finnish Post-Graduate School of Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Finland. anne.h.salonen@uta.fi
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|September 19, 2009
Summary
Parenting self-efficacy is crucial for parental well-being. Mothers reported higher parenting self-efficacy than fathers, with parent attributes influencing mothers more and environmental factors influencing fathers more.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Parenting self-efficacy is vital for parental well-being and practices.
- Limited research exists on factors influencing fathers' parenting perceptions and comparisons between parents.
- Low parenting self-efficacy can indicate risk for negative parenting outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate parent, infant, and environmental correlates of parenting self-efficacy in mothers and fathers.
- To compare mothers' and fathers' perceptions of parenting self-efficacy.
- To identify factors influencing parenting self-efficacy in the early postpartum period.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based study of 1300 Finnish-speaking families in the first postpartum week.
- Exclusion of multiple-birth and early-discharge parents.
- Statistical analysis using Generalized Estimating Equations, ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression.
Main Results:
- Mothers reported higher parenting self-efficacy than fathers.
- Maternal parenting self-efficacy was influenced by parity, self-concept, depressive symptoms, and discharge state of mind.
- Infant perception, family functioning, health, and staff advice significantly impacted both parents' self-efficacy, with childbirth experiences affecting mothers only.
Conclusions:
- Assessing parenting self-efficacy can identify at-risk parents and groups.
- Parent attributes more significantly influenced mothers' self-efficacy, while environmental attributes influenced fathers'.
- Face-to-face discussions can support at-risk parents; further research on rooming-in, feeding, and social support is recommended.
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