Impact of nurse–parent partnership, social support, and uncertainty on parental efficacy among mothers of children hospitalized in pediatric wards in South Korea: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the relationships among nurse-parent partnership, social support, uncertainty, and parental efficacy among mothers of children hospitalized in pediatric wards. METHODS: This descriptive survey study included 149 mothers of children hospitalized in pediatric wards at 5 hospitals in the Chungcheong region from August 12 to September 17, 2025. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Parental efficacy was positively correlated with social support (r=.35, p<.001) and negatively correlated with uncertainty (r=-.36, p<.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that uncertainty (β=-.26, p=.001) and social support (β=.24, p=.003) were significantly associated with parental efficacy and explained 21.0% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Uncertainty and social support were key factors associated with parental efficacy among mothers of children hospitalized in pediatric wards. Nursing interventions to enhance parental efficacy should therefore focus on reducing maternal uncertainty by providing specific, repeated information and fostering a supportive nursing environment that helps mothers recognize and use available social support.