Perceived Self-Efficacy Interview for First-Time Fathers (PS-EI FTF)

Abstract

The Perceived Self-Efficacy Interview for First-Time Fathers (PS-EI FTF) is a specialized, semi-structured qualitative interview designed to assess the subjective perceptions of self-efficacy among men transitioning into fatherhood. Developed by Thomas, Feeley, and Grier in 2009, this instrument aims to explore the depth and complexity of a new father’s confidence and perceived ability to manage the demands of infant care, particularly in challenging circumstances such as caring for very-low-birth-weight infants. The interview utilizes open-ended questions and probes to elicit detailed narratives regarding early parenting experiences, perceived facilitators, and identified barriers to effective caregiving.

Unlike standardized scales that yield numerical scores, the PS-EI FTF provides rich, contextual data, making it a valuable tool for strengths-based assessment and clinical intervention planning. It focuses on how fathers interpret their experiences immediately following birth and identifies specific moments where they feel more or less capable, aligning closely with Bandura’s emphasis on mastery experiences and perceived competence.

Keywords

Paternal self-efficacy, fatherhood, infant care, qualitative assessment, parenting confidence, transition to fatherhood, very-low-birth-weight infants, self-efficacy.

Authors

Thomas, J., Feeley, N., Grier, P.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the PS-EI FTF is to provide an in-depth, nuanced understanding of the perceived parenting self-efficacy of first-time fathers. It moves beyond simple quantitative measurement to explore the underlying cognitive and experiential factors that contribute to a father’s sense of capability in caring for his newborn. This instrument is particularly useful in research and clinical settings where understanding the subjective experience of confidence, rather than just the level of confidence, is critical for support and intervention.

The instrument was initially developed to study fathers facing exceptional stress, specifically those caring for very-low-birth-weight infants, where the demands of caregiving are heightened. By focusing on strengths and challenges, the interview helps researchers and clinicians identify specific areas where psychoeducational support or resources may be most effective in bolstering paternal involvement and well-being.

Construct

The PS-EI FTF measures paternal self-efficacy, which is defined as a father’s belief in his own ability to successfully perform the necessary tasks associated with parenting and infant care. This construct is central to Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, suggesting that perceived competence influences behavior, effort, and persistence in the face of obstacles.

The interview explores four main sources of self-efficacy information: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and physiological and affective states. By asking about successful and challenging moments, the interview directly assesses the father’s appraisal of his mastery experiences and the emotional impact of the early postnatal period on his sense of capability.

Validity

As a semi-structured qualitative interview, the validity of the PS-EI FTF relies heavily on its content validity and descriptive validity. Content Validity was established through the grounding of the questions in established theories of self-efficacy and the practical demands of early fatherhood, ensuring the questions adequately cover the domain of parenting confidence.

Construct Validity is supported by the application of the instrument within studies linking perceived self-efficacy to observed paternal engagement and coping mechanisms. Descriptive validity is achieved through the use of open-ended questions and probes, which allow fathers to define their experiences in their own terms, providing rich, authentic data that accurately reflects their internal state.

Reliability

Traditional measures of internal consistency (like Cronbach’s Alpha) are not applicable to the PS-EI FTF due to its qualitative nature. Instead, reliability is established through rigorous qualitative methodologies, primarily focusing on inter-rater reliability and dependability of the coding process.

For studies utilizing the PS-EI FTF, reliability is maximized by employing clear coding protocols and training multiple coders to ensure consistency in the thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Dependability, the qualitative equivalent of reliability, is confirmed when independent researchers can trace the findings back to the original interview data and agree on the interpretation of the themes related to perceived competence and inability.

Factor Analysis

Formal statistical factor analysis (Exploratory or Confirmatory) is not typically performed on the PS-EI FTF, as it is not a summated rating scale. The instrument generates narrative data, which is analyzed using thematic analysis or content analysis. These qualitative methods identify recurring patterns, themes, and sub-themes related to the construct of paternal self-efficacy.

In the original research, the analysis of the interview transcripts yielded key thematic categories describing the sources and outcomes of perceived self-efficacy, rather than latent statistical factors. These thematic findings serve a similar organizational function, structuring the understanding of the construct within the specific population studied.

Instrument

Test Type: Semi-structured Qualitative Interview

Format: Interview guide consisting of four core open-ended questions and subsequent clarifying probes.

Language Available: English (Original research language).

Population Group: Fathers.

Age Group: Adults (Typically 18+).

Population Details: Specifically designed for First-Time Fathers, often used with those caring for infants requiring specialized care (e.g., very-low-birth-weight infants).

Test Methodology: Individual, face-to-face or virtual interview, requiring audio recording and subsequent transcription and thematic analysis.

Keywords

Paternal role, early parenthood, confidence assessment, construct validity, thematic analysis, qualitative research methods, neonatal intensive care.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not publicly provided for all authors in the source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not publicly provided in the source material.

Correspondence Address: Correspondence generally directed toward the primary authors’ institutional affiliations at the time of publication (2009).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Perceived Self-Efficacy Interview for First-Time Fathers (PS-EI FTF) was conceptualized and utilized in research published in 2009. The instrument itself was subsequently published in an edited volume in 2013, making the primary publication year for the scale items 2013. Specific permissions and fees for academic use should be directed to the authors or the publisher (Springer).

Reference’s

• Thomas, J., Feeley, N., & Grier, P. (2009). The perceived parenting self-efficacy of first-time fathers caring for very-low-birth-weight infants. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 32(4), 180–199.

• Thomas, Freely, & Grier, (2009). Perceived Self-Efficacy Interview for First-Time Fathers. In: Simmons C. A., Lehmann P. (eds). Tools for strengths-based assessment and evaluation, New York, NY: Springer, pp. 439-440. (2013). The source can be referenced via Google Scholar.

Items of the Perceived Self-Efficacy Interview for First-Time Fathers (PS-EI FTF)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1. How was your experience just after the birth of your baby?

2. What things may have helped you feel more able to care for your baby?

3. What aspects of this experience do you think might have impacted your sense of feeling able to care for your baby?

4. Have you had moments where you feel less able to care for your baby?

Probes such as Could you give me an example? and Could you tell me more about that? may be used.