Poster #58 - Topics, Language, and Use of Parenting Self-Efficacy Instruments

• In Event: Poster Session 07

Abstract

Background
Parenting Self-Efficacy, a concept first described in Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, is a parent’s belief in their ability to successfully parent their child. The concept of PSE is used by researchers to increase our understanding of parenting abilities and influences on child health and developmental outcomes. Many instruments exist for measuring parental self-efficacy; but little is known about the specific topics included in the measures and consistency of use among instruments. Therefore, this review sought to compare parenting self-efficacy instruments for parents of infants and toddlers, focusing on comparison of parenting topics, scale format, and administration with the goal of providing guidance and recommendations for measurement selection.
Methods
Our sample included 25 instruments and items from every instrument was evaluated and coded using NVIVO Qualitative Software. We reviewed the instruments’ target population, sub-scales, number of items, response options, scoring range and instructions, theoretical background, and parenting topics across each instrument.
Results
The intended population for most instruments was the period of infancy (birth – 12 months) (n=11, 44%) followed by infancy to toddlerhood (birth – 24 months) (n= 8, 32%). Most instruments were designed for use with parents of healthy infants and toddlers (96%). The average number of scale items was 24 (range 3 – 68 items). Response options ranged from 4-point to 11-point Likert scales and 14 (56%) instruments generated total scores, with higher scores reflecting greater parenting self-efficacy. Only 6 (24%) instruments were developed in the last 10 years. Ten (40%) instruments included sub-scales, such as: nurturing, empathy, emotional availably, responsiveness, and support system. Only three instruments were designed and tested to have a score threshold or cut-off value to better distinguish high vs. low parenting self-efficacy. Coding of items on instruments were summarized into the following groups: parent, social & family factors, and child factors. Parent personal factors were addressed most frequently to evaluate self-efficacy and included topics such as, perception of parenting abilities, emotional reactions, and perceived successes. From our synthesis, we also offer recommendations for instrument selection and provide a conceptual model of parenting self-efficacy (Figure 1).
Conclusions
The findings from this review highlight the presence of key factors (parent, social & family, and child) necessary for the evaluation of parenting self-efficacy in parents of infants and toddlers. More adaptation of instruments into foreign languages with attention to cultural norms and parenting practices is recommended. Additionally, in the time since the development of many of these instruments, the cultural evaluation of parenthood and confidence may have changed; thus, these changes in societal norms, may influence how confidence is assessed. Given our results, a meta-analysis is needed to compare parenting self-efficacy scores across studies to better understand the associations between self-efficacy and parent and child outcomes.

Authors

• Ashlee Vance, Henry Ford Health
  Presenting Author

• Jacqueline McGrath