Parenting Sense Of Competence Research Articles

A Study on the Sense of Parental Competence, Health Locus of Control and Levels of Anxiety, Depression and Somatization in Parents of Children with Type 1 Diabetes: Evidence on a Possible Relationship.

Background: Parents of children with chronic conditions face challenges that go beyond basic care and parenting responsibilities. Parents' experiences can be influenced by perceived stress, emotional experiences, feelings of helplessness, low sense of self-efficacy, anxiety and depression, reducing their quality of life. It is therefore not surprising that parents of children with chronic illnesses are more likely to experience stress, anxiety and depression than parents of healthy children. A prevalent chronic condition is type 1 diabetes. Methods: Parents (31 with children with type 1 diabetes diagnosis and 71 with children without chronic illness) were recruited to complete the measures of the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), the Parent Health Locus of Control (PHLOC) and Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC). Results: Significant differences in depression and internal locus of control were found; there was a positive correlation between internal LOC and efficacy in both samples; furthermore, there was a negative correlation between somatization and satisfaction in the experimental group. Conclusions: The ongoing experiences and challenges faced daily make parents perceive themselves as capable. Active involvement in supporting and managing the needs of child with type 1 diabetes could be a source of empowerment for the parent, contributing to the maintenance of their sense of competence. It is important, therefore, to consider the well-being and perception of the parent at a personal level, regardless of the child's situation.

Early Parenting Interactions and First-Time Mothers' Postnatal Depression and Parental Competence.

Objectives: Schema Therapy, an approach that integrates cognitive-behavioural and attachment principles, helps us understand the impact of early interactions with caregivers on adult mental health. These early interactions can be assessed through Schema Therapy-informed tools; however, these tools have yet to be used with a postnatal population, which represents a period of vulnerability for new mothers. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the impact of positive and negative early parenting interactions on a first-time mother's mental health and her sense of competence during the postnatal period, using recently revised and newly developed Schema Therapy-informed tools. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Method: First-time mothers (N = 220) participated in an online survey within 12 months post-birth. Participants completed the Positive Parenting Schema Inventory (PPSI), Young Parenting Inventory-Revised (YPI-R2), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) scale. The data were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression and mediational analysis. Results: Negative early interactions with mothers and fathers led to greater postnatal depressive symptomology, while positive early interactions with mothers led to fewer postnatal depressive symptoms. Mediation analyses revealed that postnatal depressive symptoms mediated early parenting interactions and participants' sense of parenting competence as a new mother. Conclusions: The protective effects of positive early interactions with caregivers can help first-time mothers' postnatal emotional adjustment and their sense of competence through diminished postnatal depressive symptoms. However, the enduring effects of negative early interactions with caregivers can contribute to a first-time mother's risk of developing postnatal depression and negatively affect her sense of parental competence.

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

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. 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. 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). 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.

Parental involvement and adjustment during the diagnostic evaluation of autism spectrum disorder at two diagnostic centers

ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to determine the effects of permanent, mediated parental presence during all autism spectrum disorder diagnostic evaluations on parental adjustment (perceived parental stress and sense of parental competence) compared with procedures that traditionally only involve parents in pivotal periods of the diagnosis. The level of satisfaction with the diagnostic procedure and parents’ needs were also evaluated to complete this first objective. The secondary objective was to assess the effects of psychosocial, individual, and contextual variables on perceived parental stress and sense of parental competence. MethodsThe total sample of 49 parents was divided (using simple randomization) into two subgroups, each for a different procedure. Participants were met with once before the first consultation and once after. They completed self-reported questionnaires on parental stress, sense of parental competence, satisfaction with the procedure, social support, locus of control, and appraisal of life events. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPAD and SPSS software. ResultsThere was no difference between the two groups in the variables assessed. Satisfaction with the diagnostic procedure was high in both groups, but parents highlighted that they had important needs following the diagnosis. The child's level of autonomy, the presence of disruptive behaviors, and satisfaction with social support were found to be important for determining parental adjustment. ConclusionsSeveral hypotheses may explain the lack of differences between the two groups, including that parents may not yet have been in a position to benefit from the procedure aimed at integrating them. Our suggestion is that professional interventions should focus on improving the child's autonomy and helping the parent to develop a satisfactory support network. Finally, parents’ needs for the post-diagnosis phase should be given greater consideration, particularly in future research.

Group-based parent training programme for children with neurological conditions: a feasibility study

Objective and designThis study aimed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a parent training programme for parents of children with neurological conditions and behaviours that challenge.SettingChild and adolescent mental...

The Parenting Sense of Competence scale: Updating a classic.

The Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) is a self-report measure of parenting efficacy and satisfaction that is widely used by researchers and clinicians in many countries. Despite its popularity, there have been some criticisms of the instrument. The aims of the current study were to identify and address shortcomings of the PSOC and to produce a revised measure that reflected the original constructs and that demonstrated robust psychometric properties. The researchers examined the original PSOC and proposed changes to overcome identified issues. A sample of 3056 Australian mothers provided data for the revised instrument's factor structure and psychometric analyses. We identified a number of problems with the original instrument, including factorial inconsistency, and multipart or potentially ambiguous questions. Of particular concern was the fact that all negatively worded items load onto one subscale and all positively worded questions load onto the other subscale. In addressing these issues, we produced a 16-item instrument (the Parenting Sense of Competence-Revised; PSOC-R) with strong internal consistency, excellent test-retest reliability and good evidence of construct validity including factorial validity and criterion-related validity. The PSOC-R maintains the intent of the original measure in assessing parenting Efficacy (10 items) and Satisfaction (6 items). It represents improvements in item construction including reductions in complexity, with no multipart items and a lower reading level requirement than previously. Data across four child age groups enhance the instrument's clinical utility.

Maternal expectations and paternal self-efficacy as factors associated with the occurrence of depressive symptoms in parents after childbirth.

Depressive symptoms with onset after the birth of a child can affect both parents. The aim of the presented study was to determine whether fathers and mothers differ in terms of postpartum depression symptoms and such variables as the sense of parental competence and the prenatal expectations of discrepancy, and whether these variables are related to the occurrence of postpartum depression symptoms in women and men. 271 people, including 165 women and 106 men, who became parents in the last 12 months, were examined. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Parental Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) and Prenatal Expectations Scale (PES) was used. The results indicate differences between mothers and fathers in postpartum depressive symptoms, parental competencies, and prenatal expectations discrepancy as well. While maternal depression symptoms are determined by failure to meet prenatal expectations, depressive symptoms in new fathers are associated with a low sense of paternal competence.

A person-based approach to emotion socialization in toddlerhood: Individual differences in maternal emotion regulation, mental-health and parental sense of competence

Mothers adopt various emotion socialization strategies and sometimes exhibit contradictory responses. Thus, it is essential to understand how mothers differentiate in their use of emotion socialization strategies, and whether a set of emotion socialization responses is associated with individual differences in emotion regulation, mental health, and parental sense of competence during toddlerhood. Therefore, we used a person-centred approach to identify mothers’ emotion socialization responses and then compared mothers based on the aforementioned characteristics. The mothers (N = 680) with toddlers (M = 23.56 months) responded to the Coping with Toddlers’ Negative Emotions Scale, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Parental Sense of Competence Scale. The 3-profile-solution revealed: Unspecified (moderate scores in all emotion socialization strategies), supportive (high scores in supportive emotion socialization strategies) and mixture profiles (high in all emotion socialization strategies). The supportive and mixture profiles scored highly in cognitive reappraisal. Unspecified and mixture profiles did not vary in expressive suppression and mental health symptoms, but they scored lower than supportive profile mothers. In the parental sense of competence, the supportive profile scored higher than the mixture profile. The results showed mothers mainly using supportive emotion socialization strategies can demonstrate adequate emotion regulation and benefit from psychological well-being that potentially boosts parenting competence.

Le sentiment de compétence parentale des mères victimes d’abus sexuel(s) infantile(s) : un modèle structural

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of childhood sexual abuse on the parental sense of competence and to propose a structural model, taking into account the cumulative effect of the different types of abuse. Participants and methodThe participants were 1904 mothers of children aged 3 to 8. They were asked to complete an online form that included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF), and the Questionnaire d’Auto-Évaluation de la Compétence Éducative Parentale (QAECEP). ResultsOur results confirm the link between sexual abuse and intrafamilial abuse. They suggest that the experience of childhood sexual abuse impacts mothers' parental sense of competence when it occurs in situations of multiple and severe abuses. Furthermore, our statistical analyses indicate that maternal psychological well-being and the presence of child disorders mediate the association between the mother's childhood experience and her parental sense of competence. DiscussionIt seems that the parental sense of competence is impacted by sexual abuse when it is part of multiple traumas leading to symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychological well-being of the mother and the absence of disorders in the child demonstrates a protective role in the parental sense of competence of mothers with histories of childhood abuse. These findings have implications for interventions for mothers experiencing parenting difficulties. Our results suggest that taking into account the parental sense of competence and the childhood experiences is essential for providing appropriate interventions. ConclusionsThis study confirms the importance of integrating the mother's childhood experiences to better understand her parenting difficulties and to be able to intervene on her difficulties of traumatic origin.

Parents with a mental illness and their sense of parenting competence

ABSTRACT Objective Research provides evidence that parental mental illness affects child development through parenting behaviour. This study investigates how parents with a mental illness report on their parenting sense of competence. Method A sample of 141 parents receiving treatment at a clinic for mental health and substance use disorders participated. The Parenting Sense of Competence scale (PSOC) was used to assess participants’ parenting sense of competence. Information about diagnoses, child age and participation in a preventive family intervention called Child Talks was also collected. PSOC scores from our sample was compared to normative samples. Results Parents with a mental illness reported having equal or higher PSOC scores compared to the normative samples. Neither children’s age, comorbidity nor parents’ diagnosis affected PSOC scores. PSOC satisfaction score was a significant predictor for participation in Child Talks, where lower scores were related to a small increase in participation rate. Discussion The results indicate that parents with a mental illness do not view or report feeling less competent in the parenting role than the general population. We discuss the validity of the results and if there are factors that may influence parents’ reports such as stigma, fear of losing custody and impaired self-awareness.

Outcomes of Positive Discipline Parent Training: Authoritative Parenting Style and Parent Sense of Competence

ABSTRACT: This study was designed to investigate the impact of Adlerian parent trainings on parenting style and perceived competence in order to assess whether Positive Discipline parent-training courses promote the authoritative parenting style and increase parents' sense of competence. The central constructs were assessed through online surveys that included the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) and the Parent Sense of Competence (PSOC). Results indicated that parents experienced significant increases in authoritative parenting and sense of competence from pretest to posttest, as well as a reduced authoritarian and permissive parenting style. The study provides empirical support for the theoretical link between the Adlerian parenting model and the authoritative parenting model through the addition of validated measures of parenting style and competence. 摘要: 本研究旨在調查阿德勒親職訓練對教養方式和勝任感的影響，以評估正向教養家長培訓課程是否增進 民主權威教養風格 ，並提升家長的勝任感。主要構念的測量工具使用電子線上量表，包括父母教養態度量表（PSDQ）和教養勝任量表 (PSOC)。研究結果指出，家長的民主權威教養和勝任感，在測試前後期間有顯著提升，而專制威權和溺愛放縱的教養方式則有所減少。本研究藉由教養風格和勝任感的有效測量，為阿德勒親職模式與民主權威教養之間的相關理論提供實證支持。 Abstract: Abstract: Este estudio fue diseñado para investigar el impacto de los entrenamientos Adlerianos para padres en los estilos de crianza y la competencia percibida, con el fin de evaluar si los entrenamientos de Disciplina Positiva para padres promueven el estilo de crianza autoritario e incrementan el sentido de competencia parental. Los constructos principales fueron evaluados a través de encuestas en línea que incluían los estilos de crianza y un cuestionario de dimensiones (PSDQ) y el sentido de competencia parental (PSOC). Los resultados indicaron que los padres experimentaron un incremento significativo en la crianza autoritaria y en el sentido de competencia de las pre-pruebas a las post-pruebas, así como una disminución en los estilos de crianza autoritaria y permisiva. El estudio brinda soporte empírico al vínculo teórico entre el modelo de crianza Adleriano y el modelo de crianza autoritario por medio de la adición de medidas validadas de estilos de crianza y competencia. Résumé: Cette étude a été conçue pour examiner l'impact des formations adlériennes pour parents sur le style parental et la compétence perçue, afin d'évaluer si les cours de formation des parents à la Discipline Positive favorisent le style parental ferme et bienveillant et augmentent le sentiment de compétence des parents. Les concepts centraux ont été évalués au moyen d'enquêtes en ligne comprenant le questionnaire sur les styles et les dimensions du rôle parental (PSDQ) et le sentiment de compétence des parents (PSOC). Les résultats indiquent que les parents ont connu une augmentation significative de leur style parental ferme et bienveillant et de leur sentiment de compétence entre le pré-test et le post-test, ainsi qu'une réduction des styles parentaux autoritaires et permissifs. L'étude apporte un soutien empirique au lien théorique entre le modèle parental adlérien et le modèle parental ferme et bienveillant grâce à l'ajout de mesures validées du style parental et de la compétence. 摘要: 本研究旨在调研阿德勒父母培训对父母教养方式和效能感的影响，以评估正面管教家长培训能否促进权威式的育儿方式，并提高父母的效能感。研究通过在线调查进行评估，包括父母教养方式与维度问卷（PSDQ）和父母效能感问卷（PSOC）。结果表明，从前测到后测，家长表现出权威式育儿和效能感的显著增加，同时专制式和放任式育儿的减少。该研究通过可靠的父母教养方式和效能感指标，为阿德勒教养模式和权威式育儿模式之间的理论联系提供了实证支持。 Resumo: Este estudo foi projetado para investigar o impacto dos treinamentos Adlerianos para pais no estilo parental e a competência percebida, a fim de avaliar se os cursos de treinamento para pais de Disciplina Positiva promovem o estilo parental autoritativo e aumentam o sentido de competência dos pais. Os construtos centrais foram avaliados por meio de pesquisas online que incluíram o Questionário de Estilos e Dimensões Parentais (em inglês, PSDQ) e o Sentido de Competência dos Pais (em inglês, PSOC). Os resultados indicaram que os pais experimentaram aumentos significativos na parentalidade autoritativa e no senso de competência do pré-teste para o pós-teste, bem como reduziram o estilo parental autoritário e permissivo. O estudo fornece suporte empírico para a ligação teórica entre o modelo parental Adleriano e o modelo parental autoritativo por meio da adição de medidas validadas de estilo e competência parental.

A study protocol for the randomized controlled trial SAFIR FAMILY TALK: a selective primary preventive intervention vs. service as usual for children of parents with mental illness

BackgroundChildren of parents with mental illness have an increased risk of developing mental illness themselves throughout their lifespan. This is due to genetic factors but also environmental disadvantages during childhood associated with parental mental illness. Selective primary preventive interventions for the children are recommended to mitigate risk factors and strengthen protective factors, but large-scale, longitudinal studies are needed. This study aims to investigate the effect of the Family Talk Preventive Intervention in a cohort of children and their parents with mental illness.MethodsThe study is a randomized controlled trial with 286 planned families with at least one parent with any mental illness and at least one child aged 7 to 17 years. It will be carried out in the mental healthcare system in the Capital Region of Denmark. Families will be referred from hospitals and municipalities. The children and parents will be assessed at baseline and then randomized and allocated to either the Family Talk Preventive Intervention or service as usual. The intervention group will be assigned to Family Talk Preventive Intervention, a manualized programme consisting of ~ seven sessions for the family, including psychoeducation about parental mental illness and resilience in children, stimulating dialogue between family members and creating a common family narrative. The study period for both groups will be 12 months. Follow-up assessments will be conducted after 4 months and 12 months. The primary outcomes are the children’s level of functioning, parental sense of competence and family functioning.DiscussionGiven the prevalence of transgenerational transmission of mental illness, a systematic approach to prevention is needed in the mental healthcare setting. This study provides valuable knowledge on the Family Talk Preventive Intervention with a large sample size, inclusion of any parental mental illness and examination of the primary outcomes.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05615324. Registered on 26 October 2022. Retrospectively registered.

The Effect of Parenting Sense of Competence on Emotional and Behavioral Adjustment of Children With Special Education Needs: A Chain Mediating Model

Purpose This study examines the mechanism underlying the effect of parenting sense of competence (PSOC) on the emotional and behavioral adjustment of children with special education needs (SEN). Design/Approach/Methods Convenience sampling method was used and 299 parents of children with SEN were surveyed using questionnaires. Amos 24.0 was used to perform the chain mediation analyses. Findings The results showed that PSOC was positively associated with emotional and behavioral adjustment of children with SEN; parenting satisfaction negatively predicted the total difficulty of children with SEN and parenting efficacy positively affected prosocial behavior. Mediation analysis indicated that PSOC (parenting satisfaction and parenting efficacy) influenced prosocial behavior of children with SEN through parental involvement and the chain mediation effect of parenting stress and parental involvement. Originality/Value This study reveals the different pathways that parenting satisfaction and parenting efficacy—the core dimensions of PSOC—affect the emotional and behavioral adjustment of children with SEN during the transition from kindergarten to primary school.

Factors related to parenting styles of Chinese mothers of children with and without intellectual disability.

Parenting styles play a crucial role in children's development. However, approaches to parenting children with intellectual disability (ID) beyond Western cultures have been underexamined. This study compared the self-reported parenting styles of Chinese mothers of children with and without ID and examined some factors that might be related. Chinese mothers of children with ID (n=173) and mothers of typically developing children (n=119) completed measures of their parenting style, parenting stress, parenting sense of competence and family support. Both groups endorsed similar levels of authoritative parenting, but mothers of children with ID were more likely to report adopting strategies aligned with authoritarian parenting. For mothers in the ID group, family support moderated the effects of parenting stress and parenting sense of competence on authoritative parenting. Parenting stress and parenting sense of competence, respectively, predicted authoritarian parenting for mothers of children with and without ID. This study highlights the importance of reducing parenting stress, strengthening parenting sense of competence and providing family support in order to promote optimal parenting styles for Chinese mothers of children with ID.

Adding Structured Components to Home Visitation to Reduce Mothers’ Risk for Child Maltreatment: a Randomized Controlled Trial

PurposeHome visitation program effects are generally small, which may be caused by flexible intervention content leading to inconsistent outcomes. In this study we therefore examined whether the effectiveness of a Dutch home visitation program (i.e., Supportive Parenting) can be improved by adding structured intervention components targeting key risk factors for child maltreatment: parental sense of competence, perceived stress, parental anger, and PTSD symptoms.MethodParticipants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 74) that received four additional intervention components in two home visits, or a control group (n = 60) that received regular Supportive Parenting. Outcomes were assessed before (T1) and after (T2) the first, and before (T3) and after (T4) the second home visit. Effects were examined using ANCOVA for primary outcomes: parental sense of competence, perceived stress, parental anger, and PTSD symptoms, and secondary outcomes: risk of child maltreatment, parental warmth, and negative parenting. Moderation effects were examined for T1 scores, child temperament and life events.ResultsMothers who received the intervention components showed less stress compared to the control group at T3 and T4. There were no differences between groups on other outcomes and no moderation effects, although parental sense of competence reduced and anger increased within the experimental group specifically.ConclusionThe structured components may enhance the effectiveness of Supportive Parenting to reduce parenting stress. Future research into how other outcomes can be improved is needed.

Factors Associated With Parenting Stress in Parents of Children With Nephrotic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Limited empirical studies were identified to quantify parenting stress in parents of children with nephrotic syndrome (NS). This cross-sectional study aimed to address this gap by examining the prevalence and factors associated with parenting stress. Two hundred two Chinese parents of children with NS were investigated by using the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSCS), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and a demographic questionnaire. The results showed that parents of children with NS experienced higher parenting stress, and 67.8% of participants reported clinical levels of parenting stress. Fathers, parents with a primary education background, low social support and parenting sense of competence, and children with a prolonged treatment childhood NS reported higher parenting stress. Developing corresponding improvement interventions targeting parenting sense of competence, or providing extra disease-related support and education for parents might lessen parenting stress.

Can a parental sleep intervention in an individual setting improve the maternal and paternal sense of competence and parent–child interaction in parents of young sleep-disturbed children? findings from a single-arm pilot intervention study

BackgroundIn early childhood sleep and regulatory problems, parental factors are often impaired but essential to overcoming them. This study aims to examine, in parents of young sleep-disturbed children, whether mothers’ and fathers’ sense of parenting competence were increased and dysfunctional parent–child interactions reduced with a parental sleep intervention, whether these changes were sustained over a 12-month follow-up period and if children’s symptomatic parameters could be related factors.MethodsA total of 57 families with sleep-disturbed children aged 6 months to 4 years entered this single-arm pilot study. Each parent pair participated in six weekly individual face-to-face sessions of a multimodal cognitive-behavioral sleep intervention. The Parenting Sense of Competence Scale, Parental Stress Index Short Form, Child’s Sleep Diary and Child’s Questionnaire on Crying, Eating and Sleeping were obtained pre-, post-, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention.ResultsMaternal sense of competence and dysfunctional mother–child interaction improved significantly up to 6 months after the intervention. Factors related to lower maternal competence were the child’s more frequent nightly food intake and more crying due to defiance; factors related to dysfunctional mother–child interaction were more frequent crying episodes, more crying due to defiance and more eating difficulties; factors related to increased maternal competence were less duration of child’s night waking, less bed-sharing and lower frequency of crying episodes; factors related to increased paternal competence were less child’s nightly food intake and fewer episodes of unexplained and unsoothable crying; and factors related to improved father–child interaction were less frequent child’s night waking and fewer unexplained and unsoothable crying episodes.ConclusionFor parents of sleep-disturbed young children, an intervention that addresses the child’s sleep could be promising to increase the parental sense of competence and reduce dysfunctional parent–child interactions, especially for mothers. Child symptomatic parameters may change, together with the parental sense of competence and parent–child interaction of both parents, after the intervention. Mothers with children with more severe symptomatology perceive their parenting competence as lower on average and their mother–child interaction as more dysfunctional. Future research with a larger sample and a randomized controlled design is needed.Trial registration:The study was retrospectively registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (ID: DRKS00028578; registration date: 21.03.2022).

Relationship between social support and parenting sense of competence in puerperal women: Multiple mediators of resilience and postpartum depression.

BackgroundMaternal role competence is an important marker of achievement in the role of the mother, but parenting sense of competence (PSOC) among puerperal women is not high. Psychosocial factors, particularly social support, postnatal depression and resilience, have been identified as significant predictors of maternal role competence. However, information is limited regarding the mechanisms through which these psychosocial factors affect maternal role competence.ObjectiveTo evaluate the multiple mediators of resilience and postpartum depression (PPD) in the relationship between social support and PSOC in puerperal women.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary general hospital in Yangzhou, China. A total of 234 puerperal women at 6–8 weeks after birth completed the socio-demographic questionnaires, Social Support Rating Scale, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and PSOC Scale.ResultsResilience and PPD mediated the relationship between social support and PSOC. The mediation effect of resilience and PPD and the total mediation effect were significant, individually accounting for 22.96, 21.70, and 44.65%, respectively, of the total effect. Moreover, pairwise contrast between the two indirect effects was not significant. The difference between the two pathways suggests that resilience and PPD play different roles in the relationship between social support and PSOC.ConclusionsThis study showed that social support may exert its effects on PSOC in puerperal women with multiple mediators of resilience and PPD. This therefore highlights potential intervention targets to improve PSOC.

Postpartum depression, social support and maternal self-efficacy between adolescent and adult mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparative cross-sectional study.

To determine the rate and level of postpartum depression (PPD), as well as to examine and compare PPD, social support and maternal self-efficacy between adolescent and adult mothers at 8 weeks postpartum during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy measures to reduce the rapid spread of COVID-19 have disrupted many aspects of life and decreased social connections, which negatively impacts psychological well-being of the general population. However, studies focused on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and maternal self-efficacy in postpartum mothers, particularly adolescent mothers, are limited. A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out following the STROBE guidelines. An online questionnaire was administered from February to March 2021. Data were collected by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Postpartum Support Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) at 8 weeks postpartum. One-way MANOVA was used to analyse the data. Data from 63 adolescent mothers and 63 adult mothers were analysed. There were significant correlations between PPD, social support and maternal self-efficacy of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both adolescent and adult mothers had significantly negative impacts from the pandemic on mental health, social support and maternal self-efficacy. However, the adolescent mothers had higher rates of depressive symptoms (36.5% and 23.8%, respectively) as well as lower PSQ score (121.25 and 130.52, respectively) and PSOC scores (62.54 and 70.94, respectively) compared with adult mothers in the first 8 weeks postpartum during the pandemic. Adolescent mothers had a significantly higher rate of depressive symptoms and significantly lower social support and maternal self-efficacy scores compared to adult mothers at 8 weeks postpartum during the COVID-19 pandemic. Midwives or nurses should emphasize the negative mental health impacts during the COVID-19 situation and routinely screen for depressive symptoms, especially in adolescent mothers, which could help identify the at-risk mothers for developing PPD. Neither patients nor the public were directly involved in the study.

Well-being, self-esteem and body satisfaction in new mothers

ABSTRACT Background How mother’s recall their experience of childbirth, their concerns about body image, their sense of competence in parenting, and their combined sense of self-esteem are all factors with the potential to impact on mental well-being. Method A total of 234 women, who had given birth within the past 3 years, completed a survey comprised of the Birth Memories and Recall Questionnaire, the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale, the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire and the Body Shape Questionnaire. Results Mothers who have higher body dissatisfaction show significantly lower well-being, self-esteem and perceived parenting competence. Mothers who experienced higher levels of mental well-being were found to have higher levels of perceived parenting competence and self-esteem, and those who experienced higher levels of self-esteem were also found to have higher levels of perceived parenting competence. Conclusion Memories of the birth experience, perceived postpartum body image, parenting sense of competence and self-esteem have a combined and complex relationship with mental well-being. Health care professionals should inform mothers about the body changes which may occur throughout the postpartum period, to encourage mothers not to be deceived by media images and to stress the importance of realistic expectations following giving birth.