Poster #36 - Preliminary Analysis of the Prospective Parenthood Questionnaire and Its Developmental Antecedents by Gender

• In Event: Poster Session 15

Abstract

Many countries, including China, have witnessed an unprecedented decline in birth rate (e.g., Vollset et al., 2020). Despite the swift transition in China from one−child policy to second− and third−child policy during the past six years, the birth rate in China remained in decline (United Nations, 2022). While previous research mainly focused on fertility intentions among women who either had diseases that could impact their fertility or who already had children (Chin-Ching et al., 2018; Miller, 2011), little is known about the factors that contribute to the psychological processes underlying the decision to have (or not have) children in women and men. Thus, the present study aims to address this gap by 1) developing and validating a Prospective Parenthood Questionnaire (PPQ) to find out the underlying psychological factors (e.g. confidence in parenting) that influence decision-making around parenthood; 2) exploring potential gender differences in the underlying factors of prospective parenthood; 3) exploring the developmental antecedents of prospective parenthood by examining its associations with retrospective reports of prior caregiving experiences and life history, and with current romantic relationship satisfaction.

A total of 301 participants from China (71 % females), who were married or in a committed relationship and had no children, completed online questionnaires (Meanage = 27.1, SD = 2.4). We developed the Prospective Parenthood Questionnaire (PPQ) based on existing literature and qualitative interview data collected with emerging adults to assess their concerns around parenthood. Based on Life History Theory (Kaplan & Gangestad, 2005) and Attachment Theory (Bowlby, 1980, 1988), we identified early caregiving quality, early life history, and current romantic relationship quality as potential contributing factors to the PPQ. Thus, we measured retrospective reports of parental overprotection and rejection by the short version of Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran (s–EMBU, α = .84); early life history by the Questionnaire of Unpredictability in Childhood (QUIC, α = .85); and current romantic relationship satisfaction with the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS, α = .88).

Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated four major domains impacting prospective parenthood: anticipation/excitement, external pressure, confidence in parenting, and parenting preparedness (see Table 1). The Cronbach’s alpha of the four subscales ranged from .78 to .95. Consistent with previous research findings (Yan et al., 2021), independent t-test results suggested that female participants reported significantly lower anticipation/excitement, t(299) = 3.40, p < .01, and lower confidence in parenting t(299) = 3.00, p < .01, compared to male participants. Bivariate correlation analyses were conducted for males and females separately (see Table 2). For male participants, anticipation/excitement, confidence in parenting, and parenting preparedness were negatively associated with childhood unpredictability in the physical environment. However, for female participants, these three domains of prospective parenthood were associated positively with current relationship satisfaction with romantic partner, and negatively with retrospective reports of unpredictable parenting behaviors and parental environment, and parental overprotection. While external pressure to become a parent was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction and positively associated with retrospective report of parental rejection for male participants, no associations were found in female participants.

Authors

• Yufei Gu, New York University Abu Dhabi
  Presenting Author

• Rui Yang, New York University Abu Dhabi

• Victoria Zhu, New York University Abu Dhabi

• Theodore Waters, New York University Abu Dhabi