Psychometric qualities of the short form of the self-efficacy for parenting tasks index-toddler scale

Abstract

Parental self-efficacy (PSE; parental self-perceived competence in parenting) is known to have considerable impact on parenting quality. Although PSE is particularly under pressure during the turbulent period of toddlerhood, most studies so far have focused on PSE in parents of older children. The current study presents the psychometric qualities of the Short Form of the Self-Efficacy for Parenting Tasks Index-Toddler Scale (SEPTI-TS). Parents from a normal (n = 282) and clinical sample (n = 27) of children filled in the SEPTI-TS, and other questionnaires concerning PSE, general self-evaluation, and psychological problems. Factor analysis resulted in a 26-item instrument, representing four domains of PSE with a strong factor structure and high reliability: nurturance, discipline, play, and routine. For this new Short Form of the SEPTI-TS, good face, discriminative, concurrent, and divergent validity were found. Cut-offs for normal PSE were provided. The Short Form SEPTI-TS enables identifying problematic PSE in specific domains of parenting during toddlerhood.