An Exploration of Parenting Self-Efficacy (PSE) Among Non-Resident African American Fathers: A Mixed Methods Approach

Background and Purpose: Parenting self-efficacy (PSE) has received increased attention in the parenting literature due to the impact of parenting behaviors on child development. Many interventions seek to improve father involvement by increasing fathers’ knowledge of child development. However, recent studies have called for greater focus on bolstering fathers’ parenting self-efficacy as a means of improving parenting and child outcomes. This is particularly important to explore among non-resident African American fathers given the numerous barriers they face in maintaining a consistent presence in their children’s lives. The purpose of this study is to: 1) to describe, quantitatively, reported trends in parenting self-efficacy and how these trends differ by demographic characteristics; and 2) to explore, qualitatively, how the concept of parenting self-efficacy contributes to parenting experiences of non resident African American fathers through the lens of Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory.

Methods: In the quantitative phase, participants (n=110) were recruited from 8 fatherhood programs located in the northeastern region of the United States and the District of Columbia using a combination of convenience and snowball sampling. In the qualitative phase, participants (n=8) were purposively selected from among the sample that took part in the quantitative phase. The study employed both survey and interview methods. The Parenting Sense of Competency Scale (PSOC) was used to measure trends in PSE and an interview protocol was developed to facilitate in-depth exploration of PSE among participants. Correlation analysis was used to examine quantitative data yielded from the PSOC. Interview data were analyzed by a team of two researchers using Watkins’ (2017) RaDar Technique for qualitative data analysis and a modified grounded theory methodology (LaRossa, 2005). In order to ensure rigor and data quality, we also employed strategies based on Guba’s (1981) model of trustworthiness of qualitative research.

Results: Quantitative results revealed significant correlations between father age, focal child age and parenting self-efficacy. Specifically, younger fathers reported having higher levels of PSE (r= -.243, p < .05), in comparison to older fathers. Specifically, fathers ages 20-29 reported the highest levels of PSE. In addition, fathers with a younger focal child reported higher of levels of PSE (r= -.189, p < .05), in comparison to fathers with an older focal child. Specifically, fathers with children ages 5-9 reported the highest levels of PSE. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data that provide a more in-depth understanding of the sources of PSE among participants: 1) Vicarious Experiences (own father involvement and breaking the cycle); 2) Emotional Arousal (joy/happiness and fear/anger); 3) Performance Accomplishments (fathering interrupted); and 4) Verbal Persuasion/Dissuasion (co-parents, social networks, the Black church, fatherhood programs, and women/mothers).

Conclusions and Implications: Quantitative data suggests that older fathers and fathers with adolescent children may require the greatest amount of support in developing PSE. Qualitative results underscore the nuanced nature of PSE and the various factors that either support or impede its development. This study is intended to inform intervention efforts designed to enhance parenting skills and promote child and family functioning among non-resident African American fathers.