Exploring confident parenting and the modern mom

Self-efficacy is the belief that one can do something and successfully complete it and it can have a major impact on mental health of mothers of young children. This study examines the relationship between self-efficacy level in mothers of young children and facets of help-seeking behavior, with a particular focus on interactions in online forums. The study used convenience sampling to recruit 154 mothers of young children to complete an online survey. Data collected was used to sort participants into three categories based on self-efficacy level. Comparisons found similar use of and satisfaction with various sources of help. Also, high self-efficacy mothers were more likely to create help-seeking posts versus low self-efficacy mothers who favor search options. Recommendations include developing better relationships with mothers to support an investment in services, exploring alternative ways of providing services to accommodate busy schedules, and outreach to mothers with low self-efficacy.