Primiparas' Maternal Self-Efficacy And Its Influencing Factors In China

Background:Studies had approved that parental self-efficacy was a significant predictor of parental behaviour.Researchers in western countries have found that postpartum depression and social support were associated with parental self-efficacy.But most of these studies focused on mothers who have a child more than 3 months old.There are different results as well.Objective:To describe the status of primiparas' maternal self-efficacy and to identify the influential factors related to primiparas'maternal self-efficacy in China.Methods:A descriptive design was used.By convenient sampling,147 primiparas were recruited from Beijing maternity hospital three days after delivery.Self-efficacy in Infant Care Scale,Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale,Postpartum Social Support Questionnaire were administered to assess participants' maternal self-efficacy, postpartum depression and social support.Subjects completed mailed questionnaires at 6^th weeks and 12^th weeks postpartum.Results:(1) The mean of primiparas' maternal self-efficacy score at 3^rd days,6^th weeks and 12^th weeks postpartum were 78.73±11.45,80.44±11.76,83.86±10.45 respectively(Total scores for SICS range from 0 to 100).Maternal self-efficacy score at 12^th weeks postpartum was higher than 3^rd days and 6^th weeks postpartum.(2) Morbidity of postpartum depression at 3^rd days,6^th weeks and 12^th weeks postpartum were 33.3%, 41.9%,28.7%respectively.(3) The mean of primiparas' social support score at 3^rd days,6^th weeks and 12^th weeks postpartum were 50.20±7.64,45.78±9.51,45.24±10.35 respectively(Total scores for PSS range from 0 to 60).(4) Postpartum depression,social support,age of primiparas and whether they attended a parental training were the influencing factors of primiparas' maternal self-efficacy at 3^rd days,6^th weeks and 12^th weeks postpartum.Conclusion:(1) The mean of primiparas' postpartum maternal self-efficacy score were moderate.Maternal self-efficacy score at 12^th weeks postpartum were higher than 3^rd days and 6^th weeks.(2) Postpartum depression,appraisal support and informational support were the main influencing factors of primiparas' maternal self-efficacy.