Predictors of maternal parenting self-efficacy for infants and toddlers: A Jordanian study

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to investigate the predictors of maternal parenting self-efficacy when the children concerned are in the early years of life. Method A descriptive-analytical research study was carried out among 213 women who were in the early months of the postpartum period and attending healthcare facilities in Irbid, Jordan. The State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) and the Maternal Parenting Self-Efficacy (PMP S-E) tool were used to collect the data. Results A significant correlation was found between the scores in self-efficacy and the quality of marriage relations (B = 3.56, P = 001), family income (B = 1.97, P = .05), employment (B = 4.027, P = .027), education (B = 2.48, P = .004), and living with extended family (B = 5.28, P = .02). Conclusion The findings of this study show that MPSE is significantly associated with various predictors. These predictors are the mother’s education, income, whether she lives with extended family, her quality of marriage, and her employment. Maternal anxiety was found not to be a predictor for MPSE and this may explain other factors such as social support and living with extended family. Implication It is essential for nurses to understand maternal parenting self-efficacy, therefore, including the concept of maternal parenting self-efficacy in nursing curricula can help raise awareness of this important concept. Understanding maternal parenting self-efficacy is necessary for nurses to evaluate the mothers’ parenting self-efficacy.

Perceived maternal parenting self‐efficacy as a predictor maternal responsiveness in infants and toddlers

“…9,11 As argued by Leahy-Warren, McCarthy and Corcoran, PMP S-E reflects the thoughts that enable the mother to use her capabilities and knowledge in organising and performing the tasks associated with her parental responsibilities. 10 Parenting is an arduous task, even in favourable circumstances, and variations in self-efficacy correlate with how the mother manages the difficulties encountered. 12,13 According to Salonen et al, three factors correlate with maternal efficacy: the characteristics of the mother, the attributes of the infant and the surrounding environment.…”

“…Maternal responsiveness starts during motherhood and has a direct relationship with the mental and physical health of mothers 6‐8 . Moreover, maternal health boosts the attainment of parental responsibility ,9 . According to Pillitteri, the expectancy and delivery of a child are significant stages in a woman's life, and the ability of a woman to manage and withstand depression plays a vital role in successful adaptation to these life changes 8 .…”

“…One of the constructs in social‐cognitive theory that was formulated by Bandura is self‐efficacy and this construct encompasses courage in exercising health behaviours 9,10 . Self‐efficacy has been defined as the belief that an individual has in their ability to accomplish a particular task with a certain level of efficiency 9,11 . As argued by Leahy‐Warren, McCarthy and Corcoran, PMP S‐E reflects the thoughts that enable the mother to use her capabilities and knowledge in organising and performing the tasks associated with her parental responsibilities 10 .…”

“…12 Perceived self-efficacy not only correlates with behaviour choices and the surrounding environment, but it also affects the attempts made by the individual to adapt to life changes. 10 Moreover, some researchers have argued that PMP S-E has a significant contribution to make to the connection created between mother and child and that it assists in boosting the psychological health of the infant. 14,15 A study conducted on the role of PMP S-E in the adaptability of the mother and the child found that PMP S-E boosts the growth outcomes of the child and thus enhances PMP S-E in a reciprocal manner.…”

“…According to Pillitteri, the expectancy and delivery of a child are significant stages in a woman's life, and the ability of a woman to manage and withstand depression plays a vital role in successful adaptation to these life changes 8 . Furthermore, Thun‐Hohenstein et al indicate that the perceptions held by women may correlate with their capacity to embrace parental responsibility such as caring of children and monitoring their attitudes 9 8 …”