Abstract
BackgroundParental self-efficacy (PSE) refers to beliefs of parents to effectively engage in behaviors that result in desired outcomes for their children. There are several instruments of PSE for promoting healthy dietary or physical activity (PA) behaviors in children. These measures typically assess PSE in relation to some quantity or frequency of behavior, for example, number of servings or times per week. However, measuring PSE in relation to contextual circumstances, for example, psychological states and situational demands, may be a more informative approach. The purpose of the present study was to develop and psychometrically evaluate a context-based PSE instrument.MethodsSwedish mothers of five-year-old children (n = 698) responded to the Parental Self-Efficacy for Healthy Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors in Preschoolers Scale (PDAP) and a questionnaire on dietary and PA behaviors in children. Interviews were conducted to explore participant perceptions of the quality of the PDAP items. Psychometric evaluation was conducted using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Spearman correlations between PSE and child behaviors were examined.ResultsTwenty-seven interviews were conducted with participants, who perceived the items as highly comprehensible, relevant and acceptable. A four-factor model of a revised 21-item version of the PDAP fitted the data, with different factors of PSE for promoting healthy dietary or PA behaviors in children depending on whether circumstances were facilitating or impeding successful performance. Internal consistency was excellent for total scale (Cronbach’s α = .94), and good for factors (α = .84–.88). Correlations were in the expected direction: positive correlations between PSE and healthy behaviors, and negative correlations between PSE and unhealthy behaviors (all r ss ≤ .32).ConclusionsPsychometric evaluation of the PDAP provided preliminary support of construct validity and internal consistency.
Highlights
Parental self-efficacy (PSE) refers to beliefs of parents to effectively engage in behaviors that result in desired outcomes for their children
Since PSE may be different in females and males [28] and collecting data on both mothers and fathers and conducting gender-specific analyses was considered too resource demanding and not critical for the purpose of the present study, only mothers were chosen as participants
The PDAP consists of 24 items covering contextual circumstances that may either facilitate or impede PSE for promoting healthy dietary and physical activity (PA) behaviors in preschool children
Summary
Parental self-efficacy (PSE) refers to beliefs of parents to effectively engage in behaviors that result in desired outcomes for their children. There are several instruments of PSE for promoting healthy dietary or physical activity (PA) behaviors in children. These measures typically assess PSE in relation to some quantity or frequency of behavior, for example, number of servings or times per week. Obesity in childhood is associated with a range of adverse health effects in the short-term, including atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and musculoskeletal disorders [2]. Efficacious prevention and treatment of childhood obesity includes a combination of dietary, physical activity (PA), and behavior change interventions within a family-oriented approach [6, 7]
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