Paternal Involvement and Postpartum Fatigue: The Mediation Role of Perceived Maternal Parenting Self‐Efficacy
Rong Chen, Yuexia Liao, Xiaoyan Yao, Lili Bao, Jinghua Yang, Yanhua MiaoABSTRACT
Aims
Perceived maternal parenting self‐efficacy is negatively correlated with postpartum fatigue, and paternal involvement is positively correlated with perceived maternal parenting self‐efficacy. However, studies examining whether perceived maternal parenting self‐efficacy exhibits a statistical mediating association between paternal involvement and postpartum fatigue are scarce. This study aimed to construct structural equation models to examine whether perceived maternal parenting self‐efficacy shows a statistical mediating association in the hypothesized relationship between paternal involvement and postpartum fatigue.
Design
A cross‐sectional correlational research design was adopted.
Methods
Mediation analysis was performed by structural equation modelling. Indirect effects were evaluated through bootstrapping.
Data Sources
A convenience sample of 584 women who attended routine 6‐week postpartum follow‐up was recruited from obstetric outpatient departments at two tertiary hospitals in Yangzhou, China. From September to December 2025, data were collected through a self‐report questionnaire.
Results
Paternal involvement was positively correlated with perceived maternal parenting self‐efficacy. In addition, paternal involvement and perceived maternal parenting self‐efficacy were negatively correlated with postpartum fatigue. Within the hypothesized mediation model, findings were consistent with partial statistical mediation: perceived maternal parenting self‐efficacy was associated with an indirect statistical association linking paternal involvement to postpartum fatigue. This indirect statistical association accounted for 33.33% of the total statistical association.
Conclusions
Paternal involvement showed not only a direct negative statistical association with postpartum fatigue, but also an indirect statistical association with postpartum fatigue via perceived maternal parenting self‐efficacy, consistent with the hypothesized model.
Implications for the Profession
These findings provide empirical observational evidence for obstetric nursing practice and highlight the value of incorporating paternal involvement into family‐centred postpartum care strategies. Targeted interventions designed to promote paternal involvement and perceived maternal parenting self‐efficacy may help improve the physical and mental well‐being of postpartum women; future longitudinal and intervention studies are required to verify their actual effectiveness.
Reporting Method
This cross‐sectional observational study was reported following the STROBE reporting guideline.
Patient or Public Contribution
No Patient or Public Contribution. Participants only took part in this study by completing self‐reported questionnaires; patients or the public were not involved in the design, conduct, reporting or dissemination plans of our research.