Parenting competencies: development of an assessment instrument

Abstract

Theoretical framework: The assessment of parenting competencies is essential for defining Nursing interventions that promote the transition to parenthood. Objectives: To develop an instrument that guides the assessment of parenting competencies, from pregnancy to the sixth month after birth, and analyse its clinical usefulness and psychometric properties. Methodology: In the first phase, the learning needs were identified through interviews conducted to 51 parents and through a literature review, and the instrument model was designed. In the second phase, the clinical characteristics and psychometric properties of the instrument were analysed using a sample composed of 630 mothers and 214 fathers. Results: The Parenting Competencies Assessment Instrument encompassed 17 parenting competencies and 193 indicators. Concerning internal consistency, a KR20=0.94 and a KR20=0.87 were observed in the maternal and paternal versions, respectively. The analysis of the knowledge and skills subscales of both mothers and fathers found significant levels of internal consistency (α=0.86 and α=0.66; α=0.89 and α=0.76, respectively). Conclusion: This instrument proved to have clinical usefulness and to be reliable to assess parenting competencies from pregnancy to the sixth month after birth.