Abstract: Objective To explore the status of puerperal parenting competence and its influencing factors, so as to provide scientific basis for improving puerperal parenting ability. Methods A systematic sampling method was used to select the even-numbered puerperas for questionnaire survey during discharge follow-up. The content of the survey included basic information （including age, education background, family income, occupation, parity, delivery mode, and feeding mode）, Chinese version of Parenting Sense of Competence Scale （C-PSOC）, Perceived Social Support Scale （PSSS）, and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale （EPDS）. Data were descriptively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine factors influencing the scoring of parenting sense of competence. Results A total of 336 pregnant women were surveyed. Of the participants, 47. 9% were aged 26-29 years, 64. 3% had the college/university education, 48. 5% had the monthly family income of 5 000-7 999 Yuan, 63. 1% were employees of enterprises or institutions, 56. 8% gave the second births, 54. 2% had the delivery mode of cesarean section, and 47. 3% adopted mixed feeding. The total score of parenting sense of competence was （65. 98 ± 12. 91）, which was at the middle and high levels. The multiple linear regression equation showed that the participants who had higher educational level [standard regression coefficient （SRC）=0. 133], older age （SRC=0. 180） and higher support within the family （SRC=0. 159） were more likely to have higher scores of the parenting sense of competence, while those who had higher total depression score （SRC = -0. 372） were more likely to have lower scores of the parenting sense of competence. Conclusion The puerperal parenting sense of competence was at the middle and high levels in this area. Health providers should pay more attention to the puerperas at younger age group, with low education level, low level of family support, and high total score of depression.

Key words: Puerperant, Parenting competence, Family support, Depression