Spanish validation and factor structure of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R)

Abstract

Objective: To translate and validate a Spanish-language version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) and describe key measurement properties.

Design: A cross-sectional instrument validation design examining factor structure, validity and reliability.

Setting: Three public hospital sites in Spain.

Participants: 202 women who had given birth within the past four weeks provided complete questionnaire data for analysis.

Measurements and findings: Measures included the Spanish version of the BSS-R (S-BSS-R) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The tri-dimensional measurement model of the BSS-R was found to offer a good fit to Spanish data. Known-groups discriminant validity was found to be excellent with women experiencing a non-intervention delivery having higher S-BSS-R scores (p < 0.05) compared to those having an intervention. Women who had no pain control were found to have greater S-BSS-R total and S-BSS-R women's attributes and stress experienced sub-scale scores compared to those who received pain control (p < 0.05). Total scale internal reliability was also found to be acceptable. Evidence for good divergent and convergent validity was also found across total and sub-scale S-BSS-R scores.

Key conclusions: The S-BSS-R was found to have generally good to excellent psychometric properties and represents a valid and reliable translation of the original version of the BSS-R for use in Spanish-speaking populations. The development of the S-BSS-R enables comparison of birth satisfaction with international study data where the BSS-R is used.

Implications for research: The relationship of both delivery type and pain control to birth satisfaction represent important areas for further research.