Paternal Involvement and Postpartum Fatigue: The Mediation Role of Perceived Maternal Parenting Self-Efficacy

Perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy is negatively correlated with postpartum fatigue, and paternal involvement is positively correlated with perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy. However, studies examining whether perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy exhibits a statistical mediating association between paternal involvement and postpartum fatigue are scarce. This study aimed to construct structural equation models to examine whether perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy shows a statistical mediating association in the hypothesized relationship between paternal involvement and postpartum fatigue.

A cross-sectional correlational research design was adopted.

Mediation analysis was performed by structural equation modelling. Indirect effects were evaluated through bootstrapping.

A convenience sample of 584 women who attended routine 6-week postpartum follow-up was recruited from obstetric outpatient departments at two tertiary hospitals in Yangzhou, China. From September to December 2025, data were collected through a self-report questionnaire.

Paternal involvement was positively correlated with perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy. In addition, paternal involvement and perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy were negatively correlated with postpartum fatigue. Within the hypothesized mediation model, findings were consistent with partial statistical mediation: perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy was associated with an indirect statistical association linking paternal involvement to postpartum fatigue. This indirect statistical association accounted for 33.33% of the total statistical association.

Paternal involvement showed not only a direct negative statistical association with postpartum fatigue, but also an indirect statistical association with postpartum fatigue via perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy, consistent with the hypothesized model.

These findings provide empirical observational evidence for obstetric nursing practice and highlight the value of incorporating paternal involvement into family-centred postpartum care strategies. Targeted interventions designed to promote paternal involvement and perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy may help improve the physical and mental well-being of postpartum women; future longitudinal and intervention studies are required to verify their actual effectiveness.

This cross-sectional observational study was reported following the STROBE reporting guideline.

No Patient or Public Contribution. Participants only took part in this study by completing self-reported questionnaires; patients or the public were not involved in the design, conduct, reporting or dissemination plans of our research.