Association Between the Parenting Competence and Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Children Aged 0-3 Years: Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: The quality of life (QoL) for family caregivers significantly influences not only their own well-being but also the well-being of children aged 0-3 years. Competence stands out as a crucial subjective factor that impacts this QoL.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the factors affecting the QoL of caregivers of children aged 0-3 years and its correlation with parenting competency.

Methods: Caregivers of children aged 0-3 years from the child health department of a tertiary hospital in Changsha, Hunan Province, were chosen as the study sample through convenience sampling. The study investigated the relationship between parenting competency and the caregivers' QoL, utilizing general information, the parenting competency scale, and the family caregiver quality of life scale.

Results: In this study, 291 family caregivers, including 13 fathers and 278 mothers of children aged 0-3 years, were evaluated. The mean (SD) parenting competence score was 68.70 (9.816) and the mean (SD) QoL score was 56.81 (8.922). It was found that higher caregiver QoL scores were significantly associated with greater parenting competence (R=0.665, P<.001). Furthermore, each dimension of parenting competence demonstrated a significant positive correlation with each dimension of the QoL (P<.001).

Conclusions: The data suggest a notable association between parenting competence and QoL among family caregivers of children aged 0-3 years. This association has implications for improving fertility rates, as enhancing parenting competence may reduce childcare-related stress and thereby enhance the overall QoL.