Karitane parenting confidence scale: measuring parenting self-efficacy in Portuguese mothers during the first year postpartum

Abstract

Background: The Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale (KPCS) was designed to assess parenting self-efficacy in parents of infants during the first year. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the psychometric characteristics of the KPCS in Portuguese mothers during the firstyear postpartum. Methods: A sample of 383 mothers were recruited at two public outpatient units in Northern Portugal. Mothers completed the KPCS, a sociodemographic questionnaire, and measures of depressive and anxiety symptoms at least one time between two weeks, three, six and 12 months postpartum. Results: Good fit was found for a factor model with three subscales: parenting, support and child development. The KPCS presented good internal consistency. Regarding the criterion validity of the KPCS, significant effects of mother’s age were found on the development subscale and significant associations were found between mother’s depressive and anxiety symptoms and the KPCS total scale and subscales. Optimal clinical cut-offs were suggested. Conclusion: Findings provided evidence on the psychometric characteristics of the KPCS which can be used to assess parenting selfefficacy in Portuguese mothers during the first-year postpartum, possibly identifying mothers with low parenting self-efficacy.