Parenting Self-Efficacy Within the First Year Postpartum in Non-Birthing Parents: A Scoping Review
Justine Dol1, Jennifer A Parker1, Christine T Chambers1,2,3
1Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Family Process
|June 13, 2025
Summary
Parenting self-efficacy beliefs in non-birthing parents are increasingly studied, but research on 2SLGBTQAA+ parents remains limited. This review highlights the growing body of literature and identifies gaps in understanding diverse parental experiences.
Area of Science:
- Parenting and Child Development
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Parenting self-efficacy, a parent's belief in their caregiving abilities, is crucial for child development.
- While research on birthing parents is extensive, the literature on non-birthing parents' parenting self-efficacy is less understood.
- The first year postpartum is a critical period for developing parenting skills and confidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review identifying and analyzing literature on parenting self-efficacy in non-birthing parents within the first year postpartum.
- To map the existing research landscape, including study designs, publication trends, and terminology used.
- To identify gaps in the literature, particularly concerning diverse parent populations.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted on October 28, 2024.
- Included all qualitative and quantitative study designs.
- Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- 125 studies reported on parenting self-efficacy in non-birthing parents, with a significant increase in publications since 2011 (69.6%).
- Most studies were quantitative (91.2%) and primarily used the term "self-efficacy" (56.0%).
- Only four studies included 2SLGBTQAA+ parents, with limited reporting on differentiated parenting self-efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Research on non-birthing parents' parenting self-efficacy is expanding, indicating growing interest in this area.
- The Parenting Sense of Competence Scale was the most frequently used measurement tool.
- A significant gap exists in the research concerning the parenting self-efficacy of 2SLGBTQAA+ parents, necessitating further investigation.
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