Parenting sense of competence and its predictors among primiparous women: a longitudinal study in China

Psychometric properties of Parenting Sense of Competence Scale using item-response theory

Parental competence is one of the essential components of raising ethical and healthy children. The mother's satisfaction with her maternal role significantly influences her cognitive responses and parenting behaviors. Having appropriate instruments to measure maternal satisfaction and identify and solve potential problems after childbirth can substantially contribute to maintaining and improving mother and infant health. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) Scale in mothers referring to the healthcare centers affiliated with Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. This cross-sectional psychometric study collected data from 254 mothers with 1.5-month-old infants referred to the healthcare centers in Qazvin Province. Data were analyzed using the item response theory (IRT) in SPSS 26 and Stata 17 software. The mean age (±standard deviation) of participants was 30.05 ± 5.7, and the overall Cronbach's alpha for the scale was 0.931. We used the graded response model (GRM) appropriate for Likert-type rating scales to fit the IRT. The discrimination parameter estimates showed that item 5 had a discrimination level <0.65, leading to its exclusion from the final analysis. In addition, the total information index confirmed that the scale was suitable in the trait range of -2.1 to 1.8. Compared with other common models for ordered responses based on general model fit indices, the GRM showed a better fit. The study results recommend applying the IRT models to improve and enhance the quality of questionnaires in various measurement fields.

The mediating effects of parenting self-efficacy between readiness for hospital discharge and post-discharge coping difficulty among mothers of preterm infants

Post-discharge coping difficulty presents a significant challenge for mothers of preterm infants. The readiness for hospital discharge and parenting self-efficacy are crucial factors influencing post-discharge coping difficulty. However, the pathways through which these factors impact post-discharge coping difficulty remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of readiness for hospital discharge on post-discharge coping difficulty and the mediating role of parenting self-efficacy among mothers of preterm infants. A prospective study involving 462 mothers of preterm infants from six tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province was conducted. Mothers were evaluated on the day of discharge (using the Baseline characteristics and Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale) and three weeks post-discharge (utilizing the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale-Efficacy subscale and Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale). Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the mediating effect. The results of this study revealed that readiness for hospital discharge significantly decreased post-discharge coping difficulty (β = - 0.533, P < 0.001), and parenting self-efficacy also significantly reduced post-discharge coping difficulty (β = - 0.419, P < 0.001). Furthermore, parenting self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between readiness for hospital discharge and post-discharge coping difficulty, accounting for 25.35% of the total effect. Mothers reported a moderate level of post-discharge coping difficulty. In assisting mothers of premature infants to alleviate post-discharge coping difficulty, nurses could implement strategies focused on enhancing readiness for hospital discharge and parenting self-efficacy.

Exploring the relationship between mothers' competence and comfort in sexual and reproductive health discourse with adolescent girls and its related factors

OBJECTIVES

The mothers-adolescent discussion regarding sexual and reproductive health (SHR) issues plays an important role in preventing negative outcome associated with sexual risk behaviors. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between mothers' competence and comfort in SHR discourse with adolescent girls and its related factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 160 mothers from July to September 2020. Data were collected through questionnaires covering demographic characteristics, Mother's Comfort in Sexual Discourse (MCSD), Mother's Interest in Sexual Discourse (MISD), and Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC). The collected data were analyzed using simple and multiple linear regression models.

RESULTS

The mean scores for MCSD, MISD, and PSOC were 45.49±16.15 (13-78), 7.9±4.2 (0-13), and 64.07±9.44 (45-94), respectively. The primary topics of mother-adolescent discourse on SRH were menstruation (5.61±0.98) and the delivery process (4.55±1.57). The mean age for "sex talks" and age-appropriate "sex talks" with daughters was 11.76±1.85 (range: 6-15) and 17.05±1.86 (range: 14-23) years, respectively. Significant associations were found between MCSD and MISD (β=0.482, p<0.0001), PSOC (β=0.223, p<0.005), self-efficacy (β=0.202, p<0.011), mother's job (β=0.185, p<0.019), mother's education (β=0.173, p<0.029), and father's age (β=0.161, p<0.042). After adjusting for other variables, major influencing factors on MCSD included MISD (β=0.487, p<0.0001), self-efficacy (β=0.143, p<0.039), satisfaction (β=0.169, p<0.015), daughter number (β=-0.235, p<0.014), son number (β=-0.219, p<0.024), birth rank (β=0.263, p<0.008), and residency (β=0.172, p<0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

MISD, PSOC, and certain demographic characteristics emerge as significant factors influencing MCSD in mother-daughter sexual discourse. As such, it is imperative to consider these determinants when devising strategies to maintain and enhance the sexual health of teenage girls.

Postpartum stress in the first 6 months after delivery: a longitudinal study in Nantong, China

OBJECTIVES

The objective is to to explore the longitudinal change trajectories of postpartum stress and its related factors.

DESIGN

A longitudinal study with follow-ups from 42 days to 6 months after delivery.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 406 postpartum women were recruited at baseline (42 days after delivery) from 6 hospitals in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China, and followed up at 3 and 6 months. After the follow-ups, 358 postpartum women were retained for further analysis.

METHODS

Postpartum stress was evaluated using the Maternal Postpartum Stress Scale (MPSS) at baseline (42 days) and 3 and 6 months after delivery. MPSS has three dimensions, such as: personal needs and fatigue, infant nurturing and body changes and sexuality. Postpartum depression and anxiety were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the short-form Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, respectively. The MPSS scores were normalised using a rank-based inverse normal transformation.

RESULTS

Postpartum stress decreased significantly after 3 months, and postpartum stress reduced further after 6 months. Additionally, the scores for all three dimensions reduced after 6 months, while infant nurturing reduced after both 3 and 6 months. Older age (β=0.028, p=0.049), higher education level (β=0.153, p=0.005) and higher body mass index (BMI) (β=0.027, p=0.008) of the postpartum women were significantly associated with higher postpartum stress levels in corresponding dimensions at 42 days. Older age was also associated with higher postpartum stress at 3 (β=0.030, p=0.033) and 6 months (β=0.050, p<0.001) in the dimension of personal needs and fatigue. Postpartum stress levels were significantly higher in women with depression or anxiety symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Postpartum stress continuously declined from 42 days to 6 months after delivery. Postpartum women with older age, higher education levels, higher BMI and anxiety or depression symptoms should be the target population for early intervention.

The Effect of Virtual Education in Parenting Skills on the Parenting Sense of Competence in First-time Mothers with a 0-2-year-old Baby: A Quasi-experimental Study

Background

Parental competence is a key aspect of parenting. Since they have no previous experience of having a baby, first-time mothers should acquire certain skills to be competent enough in caring for their baby. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual education in parenting skills on the parenting competence of first-time mothers with a 0-2-year-old baby.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was conducted through convenience sampling; 72 first-time mothers were selected from 12 healthcare centers, 62 of whom met the criteria for entering the study, and divided into an experimental (n=31) and a control (n=31) group. The mothers in the experimental group received virtual education in parenting skills in six sessions, each lasting 10 minutes for two weeks. The data were collected using a demographics questionnaire and Gibaud-Wallston's parenting sense of competence scale. Sense of competence was assessed in three stages: before, immediately after, and one month after the completion of the intervention. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS v. 22 at a significance level of less than 0.05.

Results

Results showed a statistically significant increase in the experimental group's parenting competence mean score immediately and one month after the intervention (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the study groups as measured immediately after (P=0.043) and one month after the intervention (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Virtual education of parenting skills could have a positive impact on the mothers' parenting competence. It is suggested that first-time mothers should be educated in parenting skills on a face-to-face basis in maternity wards and online after discharge.