Maternal Self-Efficacy Buffers the Effects of COVID-19-Related Experiences on Postpartum Parenting Stress

Abstract

Objective: To examine the associations of maternal self-efficacy (MSE) and perceived social support with parenting stress during the postpartum period during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether these two psychosocial factors account for variance in parenting stress in addition to the effects of COVID-19-related experiences and sociodemographic factors.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Online survey, the Perinatal Experiences and COVID-19 Effects (PEACE) study, launched in May 2020.

Participants: Participants included 310 women who gave birth in the past 24 weeks.

Methods: The survey included self-report quantitative measures of MSE, social support, COVID-19-related experiences, parenting stress, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and a range of sociodemographic factors.

Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that MSE and social support were negatively associated with postpartum parenting stress in addition to the effects of COVID-19-related experiences, maternal symptoms of depression and anxiety, and a range of demographic factors. Furthermore, MSE interacted with COVID-19-related experiences such that higher levels of MSE mitigated the effects of COVID-19-related experiences on parenting stress.

Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of protective factors at the individual and interpersonal levels and provide insights for prevention and intervention programs aimed at mitigating postpartum parenting stress during a wide-scale disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; COVID-19–related experiences; maternal self-efficacy; parenting stress; postpartum period; protective factors; psychosocial; social support.