Self-perception of parental competence in parents of pre-school children

• Autor(a) principal: Aparício, Graça
• Data de Publicação: 2016
• Outros Autores: Cunha, Madalena, Duarte, João
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.19/4448
• topic: Parenting; Child; Self-perception of competence

Abstract Background: The concept of self-perception of parental competence refers to how parents perceive their performance, beliefs and attitudes in their role as parents, the ability to address specific problems and find effective solutions. Objectives: To evaluate the self-perception of competence in parents of preschool children and the relationship with sociodemographic variables. Methods: Cross-sectional and observational study with 792 parents, women average age 34,15 (Dp=5,01), men 36,1 years old (Dp=5,34), living in Portugal. The analyse includes sociodemographic characterization and the Questionnaire d’Auto-Évaluation de la Compétence Éducative Parentale (QAECEP) (Terrisse & Trudelle, 1988) validated to the portuguese population by Aparício (2012). Results: The validation study of QAECEP indicated good internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha= 0.773). Self-perception of competence, and satisfaction is high in 51,1% of parents. The older parents see themselves as most competent and effective, with significant results for mothers (Chi-square=21,755; p= 0,010). Parents with higher level of education perceive themselves as more satisfied, motivated and competent, but only significant for the mothers (p=0,000). The high/medium familiar incomes influences significantly the perception of satisfaction, motivation and global parenting competence ( p=0,000). Feelings of low efficacy (p= 0,05) higher satisfaction (AR= 2,6) and global competence (p= 0,036) are significant in parents of younger children. Conclusions: Age, income and education level influences the self-perception of parental performance, so in health promotion activities is important to identify the parental feelings and increase their self-confidence in the defence of an positive parenting.