Parental, child and socio-contextual factors associated with parenting self-efficacy among parents of children aged 0–7 years old: the CIKEO study

Abstract

Background A high parenting self-efficacy (PSE) has been associated with positive parenting and positive child development. However, there is limited and inconsistent information on factors associated with PSE. Objective To investigate factors associated with PSE in parents of children aged 0–7 years old, and to explore whether the associations were different between mothers and fathers. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline data from a prospective cohort study: the CIKEO study. A total of 1012 parents (mean age = 33.8, SD = 5.0) completed self-reported measure of PSE and 18 potential factors associated with PSE. Results Multivariable models revealed that lower parenting stress, fewer child behavior problems, better eating behavior, better parental and child general health, a smaller number of children living in the household, higher perceived level of social support and having a migration background were associated with higher levels of PSE (p < 0.05). The association between family functioning and PSE differed between mothers and fathers (p for interaction = 0.003): with beta and 95% confidence interval being: 1.29 (− 2.05, 0.87), and 0.23 (− 0.46, 3.29), respectively. Conclusions A range of parental, child and social-contextual factors in relation to PSE were identified. The patterns of associations for most of the factors were similar among mothers and fathers. However, the association between family functioning and PSE might differ for mothers and fathers. Our findings are relevant for tailoring and implementing successful interventions and effective policy making in child care. Trial registration Netherlands National Trial Register number NL7342. Date of registration: 05-November-2018, retrospectively registered.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of a universal, preventative-focused, parent and infant programme

“…Sixth, engagement and retention were relatively low and study participants were all self-referred. There were more first-time parents in the intervention group; however, there were no differences in baseline PSOC scores between first time mothers and those with additional children, although previous literature has demonstrated inconsistent effects of parity on parental self-efficacy [ 73 ]. Despite these limitations, our study represents an important contribution to the little existing evidence and knowledge on the cost-effectiveness of universal parenting programmes delivered in real-life settings and especially in the crucial earliest years.…”

Parenting self-efficacy in relation to the family check-up’s effect on elementary school children’s behavior.

“…Parenting self-efficacy (PSE), defined as a parent’s judgment of their own competence and ability in the parenting role (Coleman & Karraker, 2003), is thought to have a significant impact on the health and development of children via effects on parenting behaviors and parent–child interactions (Vance & Brandon, 2017). Higher levels of PSE have been associated with positive parenting and child development, including lower parenting stress and child problem behaviors, better parent and child general health, and higher perceived social support (Bloomfield & Kendall, 2012; Fang et al, 2022). Among school-aged children, PSE has also been linked to children’s prosocial behavior and social competence (Junttila et al, 2007), as well as lower rates of behavioral and emotional problems in preschool-aged children (Trecca et al, 2022).…”

Origins and development of maternal self-efficacy in emotion-related parenting during the transition to parenthood: Toward an integrative process framework beyond Bandura’s model.

“…To date, the identified predictors of paternal self-efficacy include fathers’ attachment style (e.g., attachment anxiety), personality traits (e.g., neuroticism), parenting role beliefs (e.g., viewing mothers as inherently better caretakers), perinatal mental health issues (e.g., affective symptoms), parenting stress, coparenting relationships, perceived social support, and family socioeconomic status (De Montigny et al, 2012; Donithen & Schoppe-Sullivan, 2021; Pinheiro, 2014; Pinto et al, 2016). Moreover, there also exists a slim body of research surveying both mothers and fathers (Biehle & Mickelson, 2011a, 2011b; Fang et al, 2022; Giallo, Treyvard, et al, 2013; Knauth, 2000; Leerkes & Burney, 2007; Murdock, 2013; Riina & Feinberg, 2012; Sevigny & Loutzenhiser, 2010). Results of these studies indicate that, despite some shared correlates, there also exist systematic differences between mothers and fathers in the antecedents of parenting self-efficacy.…”