Examining Bidirectionality of Maternal Self-Efficacy and Maternal Parenting Stress

• In Event: Poster Session 07
  In Poster Session: PS 07 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

Maternal self-efficacy and parenting stress is associated with a variety of maternal outcomes (e.g. postpartum depression, learned helplessness, and excessive maternal control; Haslam et al., 2006). Results from existing studies indicate negative associations between maternal self-efficacy and parenting stress, with maternal self-efficacy variably (across studies) specified as a predictor, mediator, or a consequence of maternal parenting stress (Law et al., 2018; Moon & Min, 2012; Rezende & Scarpa, 2011). However, no studies have been identified that examined directionality between maternal self-efficacy and parenting stress using a longitudinal approach. In attempts to clarify the bidirectionality between maternal parenting stress and self-efficacy, the current study examined the directionality of maternal self-efficacy and stress in a cross-lagged panel design at five time points: 4, 6, 8, and 12 months postpartum. We collected data from a community sample of mothers (N = 179, 53.07% girls) with an average maternal age of 27.49 years (SD = 6.07). Over half of the sample (59.22%) reported being economically stressed (income-to-needs ratio [INR] < 2.00), and 25.69% reported income below the poverty line. Mothers completed the Maternal Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES; Teti & Gelfand, 1991) and the Parenting Stress Index (PSI; Abidin, 1990) at each time point.

Results indicated unidirectionality early on, such that maternal parenting stress significantly predicted maternal self-efficacy, taking into account cumulative risk. Infant sex was not a significant predictor of maternal self-efficacy and parenting stress at any of the five time points, and thus, was excluded from the model. Higher maternal parenting stress at 6 months postpartum was related to lower maternal self-efficacy at 8 months postpartum (B = -0.131, p = .063), whereas maternal self-efficacy at 6 months postpartum did not predict maternal parenting stress at 8 months. Additionally, maternal parenting stress at 8 months postpartum significantly negatively predicted maternal self-efficacy at 10 months (B = -0.163, p = .008), while maternal self-efficacy at 8 months postpartum did not significantly predict maternal parenting stress at 10 months. Results at 10 and 12 months postpartum indicated a shift to bidirectionality between maternal self-efficacy and parenting stress. High maternal parenting stress at 10 months was related to lower maternal self-efficacy at 12 months (B = -100, p = .067), while low levels of maternal self-efficacy at 10 months postpartum significantly predicted high maternal parenting stress at 12 months (B = -0.201, p < .001). Continuity-related findings for maternal self-efficacy and parenting stress are considered and discussed (see Figure 1 for results). Absolute fit, comparative fit, and incremental fit indices indicated excellent model fit (χ^2 (12)=13.98, p = 0.302, CFI = 0.998, RMSEA = 0.030, SRMR = 0.015).

These results indicating a shift from unidirectionality to bidirectionality between maternal self-efficacy and parenting stress may explain why previous studies have observed findings in one direction or the other. The implications of these findings for future research, and for applied settings, will be discussed.

Authors

• Sabrina Ung, Northern Illinois University
  Presenting Author

• Jordan R Kaye, Northern Illinois University
  Non-Presenting Author

• David J Bridgett, Northern Illinois University
  Non-Presenting Author