Parenting self-efficacy in fathers of medically complex infants: A longitudinal study

Infants with medical complexity have multiple complex chronic conditions and require specialized intensive care. One important factor in optimizing infant health and development is parenting self-efficacy (PSE). The purpose of this study was to examine parental self-efficacy in fathers over time. A...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neonatal nursing : JNN 2021-12, Vol.27 (6), p.439-443
Main Authors: Vance, Ashlee J., Costa, Deena K., Brandon, Debra H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Confidence
Fatherhood
Neonatal intensive care
Parenting self-efficacy
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Infants with medical complexity have multiple complex chronic conditions and require specialized intensive care. One important factor in optimizing infant health and development is parenting self-efficacy (PSE). The purpose of this study was to examine parental self-efficacy in fathers over time. A longitudinal survey study was conducted with fathers of medically complex infants. We used the validated Karitane Parent Confidence Scale to assess PSE and multivariable linear regression examined the associations between father and infant characteristics on PSE. Fathers (n = 27) were white (74%), married (85%), high school educated (37%), with incomes ≥ $US50,000 (66%). Father's mean PSE score was 39.28 (±3.9). Hispanic ethnicity and total number of chronic conditions were significant predictors of lower PSE in fathers. Fathers of medically complex infants reported low PSE. More strategic interventions need to focus on self-efficacy and creating opportunities for connection between fathers and infants.
ISSN:1355-1841
1878-089X
DOI:10.1016/j.jnn.2021.06.004