The Infant Care Questionnaire: Assessment of Reliability and Validity in a Sample of Healthy Mothers

Abstract

Few instruments are available to assess perceptions of competence in the specific maternal role function of infant care provider. This article reports on a methodological study of the development and evaluation of the Infant Care Questionnaire (ICQ), a self-report scale designed to measure the mother's perceptions of her abilities and competence as an infant care provider. The sample consisted of healthy low-risk primiparous and multiparous mothers (N = 164) of term infants. Principal components factor analysis with a Varimax rotation produced a three factor solution that explained 42% of the total variance. The three factors were Mom&Baby, Emotionality, and Responsiveness with Cronbach alpha coefficients of .86, .79, and .58, respectively. Validity evidence included higher Mom&Baby scores for multiparous mothers, F (1, 139) = 10.78, p = .001; those with greater time in the mothering role, F (2, 138) = 21.78, p = .000; and a significant correlation with the similar Maternal Confidence Scale, r (155) = .48, p = .000. Acquisition of competence was shown in a greater proportion of mothers rated "competent" at five weeks compared with one week postnatal, chi 2 (1, N = 156) = 22.77, p = .000. While the ICQ demonstrated adequate reliability and validity, establishment of clinical relevance and appropriateness with other groups is required.

Predictors of Early Parenting Self-efficacy

“…Higher socioeconomic status has been associated with increased parenting self-efficacy (Coleman & Karraker, 2000;Teti & Gelfand, 1991). Multiparity has been associated with increased parenting self-efficacy and competence (Pridham et al, 1991;Secco, 2002), whereas other researchers have reported no differ-ences based on parity (Conrad et al, 1992;Tarkka, 2003). Being married, having a supportive relationship with a mate, and marital quality have been related to higher maternal self-efficacy and competence (Mercer, 1986;Porter & Hsu, 2003).…”

Factors Affecting Parenting Stress Among Biologically Vulnerable Toddlers

“…A 13-item dimension of the Toddler Care Questionnaire, the TCQ-mom and toddler, measured toddler care competence, or self-assessed ability to care for and interact with the toddler. The mom and toddler dimension was adapted from the Infant Care Questionnaire ICQ-mom and baby dimension (Secco, 2002). Validity for the ICQ is documented in higher ICQ-mom and baby scores among multiparous, compared with primiparous, mothers and an increase in maternal infant care competence scores with time in the mothering role for both older (Secco, 2002) and adolescent mothers of healthy infants .…”

“…The mom and toddler dimension was adapted from the Infant Care Questionnaire ICQ-mom and baby dimension (Secco, 2002). Validity for the ICQ is documented in higher ICQ-mom and baby scores among multiparous, compared with primiparous, mothers and an increase in maternal infant care competence scores with time in the mothering role for both older (Secco, 2002) and adolescent mothers of healthy infants . Furthermore, the ICQ-mom and baby explained a significant amount of variance (66%) in parenting stress scores of adolescent mothers (Secco & Moffatt, 2003).…”

“…Furthermore, the ICQ-mom and baby explained a significant amount of variance (66%) in parenting stress scores of adolescent mothers (Secco & Moffatt, 2003). Internal consistencies, measured as Chronbach alpha coefficients, have ranged from .76 to .86 (Secco, 2002). Items of the TCQ-mom and toddler dimension reflect the mother's rating of her knowledge and ability caring for her toddler.…”

Perceived and Performed Infant Care Competence of Younger and Older Adolescent Mothers

“…These studies have identified factors that affect maternal role competence, and these have included mothering experience or parity (Walker, Crain, & Thompson, 1986;Mercer, 1995;Secco, in press), self-esteem, and maternal self-efficacy (Kissman, 1988;Shea & Tronick, 1988;McGrath, Boukydis et al, 1993). One study compared maternal competence perceptions of older and adolescent mothers and demonstrated lower maternal role attainment for the adolescent mothers (Mercer, 1986).…”