Abstract
Background
A sense of parental competence and satisfaction during the transition to parenthood
can have a tremendous impact on the quality of parenting behaviors, with social support
being an important facilitator.
Aim
To examine parental role competence and satisfaction of Chinese mothers and fathers
in the early postpartum period with regard to social support.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in a regional teaching hospital in Guangzhou,
China. The study was conducted between June 5 and November 16, 2015. One hundred and
eighty parental pairs at 6–8 weeks after birth completed the Parenting Sense of Competence
Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, and socio-demographic questionnaires.
Results
Parental role competence and satisfaction of Chinese mothers and fathers were at a
moderate level, affected each other and there were no significant differences between
the mothers and the fathers. The Competence Scale scores had a significant positive
correlation with social support. Multiple regression analysis revealed two variables
that predicted maternal Competence Scale scores: maternal social support and the paternal
Competence Scale scores. Paternal social support and maternal Competence Scale scores
contributed significantly to paternal Competence Scale scores.
Conclusion
Parental role competence and satisfaction of mothers and fathers were at a moderate
level and affected by the parenting partner. To improve parental role competence and
satisfaction, health care professionals should develop strategies that impact the
whole family and not just a single individual. Supportive parenting programs should
be implemented for both mothers and fathers.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 22, 2019
Accepted:
June 11,
2019
Received in revised form:
June 7,
2019
Received:
February 26,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
