Social Determinants of Health and Parenting Self-Efficacy Among Mothers of Preterm Infants

Factors Contributing to the Health of 0- to 5-Year-Old Low-Birth-Weight Children in the United States: Application of the Multiple Disadvantage Model

“…In other words, relying on parents' good health alone probably is not sufficient to counter the challenges of taking care of these children. On the other hand, contrary to the findings of prior studies on small samples [40,41], the present research demonstrated that parent mental health had a negative association with low-birth-weight children's health. One plausible explanation was that some parents had high anxiety because they vigorously maintained the good health of their low-birth-weight children.…”

“…A prior study indicated that parents' physical health was associated negatively with the mortality risk of their low-birth-weight infant [24]. Moreover, parents with depression or anxiety may be unable to provide effective parenting and care their low-birth-weight children [40,41]. Under the stresses of multiple disadvantages and caring for low-birth-weight children, some mothers may use substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and/or drugs.…”

Parenting self-efficacy instruments for parents of infants and toddlers: A review

“…Since the concept of parenting self-efficacy was first described by Bandura, there has been a growing interest among researchers in documenting the importance of this concept related to parent and infant health outcomes. Parenting self-efficacy appears to be particularly relevant for outcomes related to infant health status ( Anzman-Frasca et al., 2013 ; Coller et al., 2015 ), infant/child social-emotional wellbeing ( Badr Zahr, 2001 ; Takacs et al., 2019 ), and parent mental health ( Klawetter et al., 2021 ; Sevigny & Loutzenhiser, 2010 ). For example, in one study, mothers, with high self-efficacy scores, or who are confident in their parental role, were found to be generally more sensitive and responsive to their children ( Dumka et al., 2010 ; Law et al., 2019 ), and demonstrated more positive parenting practices ( Fang et al., 2021 ; Jones & Prinz, 2005 ).…”