Development and validation of the Fathering Self-Efficacy Scale.

Abstract

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.

Self-Report Measures of Parental Self-Efficacy: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

“…2 ). One measure was designed for toddlers and pre-schoolers (the Fathering Self-Efficacy Scale, FSES; Sevigny et al 2016 ). There was no measure specifically for parents of pre-schoolers (3–5 years), only one measure for school-age children (5–12 years) (e.g., the Parent Empowerment and Efficacy Measure, PEEM; Freiberg et al 2014 ) and no measures specifically for adolescents (13–18 years).…”

“… APT assessment of parenting tool (Moran et al 2016 ), BaM-13 being a mother (Matthey 2011 ), BAP being a parent (McMahon et al 1997 ), CAPES–SE child adjustment and parent efficacy scale (Morawska et al 2014 ), C–G PSS Cleminshaw–Guidubaldi parenting satisfaction scale (Guidubaldi and Cleminshaw 1989 ), CPP comfort with parenting performance (Ballenski and Cook 1982 ), EIPSES early intervention parenting self-efficacy scale (Guimond et al 2008 ), FSES fathering self-efficacy scale (Sevigny et al 2016 ), ICQ infant care questionnaire (Secco 2002 ); ICS infant care survey (Froman and Owen 1989 ), KPCS Karitane parenting confidence scale (Črn č ec et al 2008 ), KPSS Kansas parental satisfaction scale (James et al 1985 ), MaMS and MBS myself as a mother scale and my baby scale (Walker et al 1986 ), MaaP me as a parent (Hamilton et al 2014 ), MCQ maternal confidence questionnaire (Zahr 1991 ), MSEQ maternal self-efficacy questionnaire (Fish et al 1991 ), M/P SES maternal / paternal self-efficacy scale (Teti and Gelfand 1991 ), MIPSI multicultural inventory of parenting self-efficacy (Dumka et al 2002 ), MSPC maternal self-confidence paired comparisons (Seashore et al 1973 ), PCS perceived competence scale (Rutledge and Pridham 1987 ), PEEM parent empowerment and efficacy measure (Freiberg et al 2014 ), PES parent expectation survey (Reece 1992 ), PMP S-E perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy (Barnes and Adamson‐Macedo 2007 ), PPSEC preterm parenting self-efficacy checklist (Pennell et al 2012 ), PSAM parental self-agency measure (Dumka et al 1996 ), PSES parenting self-efficacy scale (Purssell and While 2013 ), PSOC parenting sense of competence scale (Johnston and Mash 1989 ); Ohan et al 2000 ), PTC parenting tasks checklist (Sanders and Woolley 2005 ),...…”

Parental Self‐Efficacy for Reducing the Risk of Adolescent Depression and Anxiety: Scale Development and Validation

“…A key limitation noted in research addressing PSE is the lack of reliable and valid measures of PSE (Coleman & Karraker, 1998;Jones & Prinz, 2005;Sevigny, Loutzenhiser, & McAuslan, 2016). In Jones and Prinz's (2005) review, the authors categorize measures of PSE into three categories: general PSE; task-related PSE; and narrow-domain PSE.…”

Assessing the feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of an integrated approach to smoking cessation for new and expectant fathers: The Dads in Gear study protocol

“…b) Fathering self-efficacy. This variable will be assessed using the Fathering Self Efficacy Scale [49], a 20-item tool used to assess fathering efficacy across three domains: positive engagement, direct care, and financial responsibility. For the purposes of this study only positive engagement (12 items) and direct care (4 items) subscales are included.…”