Parenting self-efficacy and social support among parents in mainland China across the first six months postpartum: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

ObjectiveKnowledge of parenting self-efficacy and social support can help healthcare professionals to facilitate the parents’ transition to parenthood. However, few studies have explored parenting self-efficacy and social support in Chinese mothers and fathers across six months postpartum. Thus, this study aimed to (a) investigate changes in parenting self-efficacy and social support over the six months postpartum; (b) explore the relationships between parenting self-efficacy and social support; and (c) compare the differences in parenting self-efficacy and social support between the mothers and fathers. Design, setting, and participantsA prospective cohort study was carried out from September 24, 2020, to October 8, 2021, at a local teaching hospital in Guangzhou, China. One hundred and sixteen pairs of Chinese parents who gave birth to a single full-term newborn were included in this study. MeasurementsThe Parenting Self-Efficacy Subscale of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale and Social Support Rating Scale were completed within 2–3 days after delivery (T1), six weeks postpartum (T2), three months postpartum (T3), and six months postpartum (T4). Demographic and obstetric information was collected at T1. FindingsMaternal parenting self-efficacy decreased from T1 to T2 and then increased to T3 and T4, while paternal parenting self-efficacy remained stable throughout the six months postpartum. Overall, maternal and paternal social support declined during the six months postpartum. Parenting self-efficacy had a positive correlation with social support. Moreover, maternal subjective support was significantly lower than that of fathers at T1 and T4. Key conclusions and implications for practiceThe present study highlighted the changes and relationships between parenting self-efficacy and social support in mothers and fathers across six months postpartum in mainland China. Healthcare professionals should treat mother and father as a system to help their transition to parenthood.