Development and Validation of the Fathering Self-Efficacy Scale

Researchers interested in child developmental outcomes have highlighted the important role that parental self-efficacy (PSE) plays in psychosocial child adjustment. Despite its importance, the PSE construct has been understudied in men. This article outlines the development and initial validation of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology of men & masculinity 2016-01, Vol.17 (1), p.92-102
Main Authors: Sevigny, Phillip R., Loutzenhiser, Lynn, McAuslan, Pam
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adjustment
Construct validity
Content analysis
Father Child Relations
Fathering
Fathers
Financial responsibility
Human
Male
Men
Parenting
Preschool children
Psychosocial factors
Quantitative psychology
Rating Scales
Reliability
Self report
Self-Efficacy
Test Construction
Test Reliability
Test Validity
Validity
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Summary:Researchers interested in child developmental outcomes have highlighted the important role that parental self-efficacy (PSE) plays in psychosocial child adjustment. Despite its importance, the PSE construct has been understudied in men. This article outlines the development and initial validation of a self-report scale that assesses PSE of fathers with preschool-aged children. The research was conducted in a series of 3 studies. In Study 1, fathers were interviewed and invited to discuss their perceptions of their roles and responsibilities within their families. Using thematic content analysis, 11 themes were identified and a pool of potential PSE scale items was developed. In Study 2, the psychometric properties of the new Fathering Self-Efficacy Scale (FSES) were investigated. Plausible 3- and 4-factor models were found. In Study 3 a new sample of 247 fathers completed the FSES and associations to existing scales were examined. The 20-item, 3-factor structure of the FSES replicated in Phase 3 and was found to be a superior fit to the data when compared with a 4-factor model. Furthermore, evidence of a higher-order model was found. The factors represented Positive Engagement, Direct Care, and Financial Responsibility. Overall, the results offer initial evidence of the reliability and the construct validity of the FSES. The emergence of this new scale will be important to fathering research and can contribute to the development of therapeutic family interventions.
ISSN:1524-9220
1939-151X
DOI:10.1037/a0039659