Development of an assessment tool for the transition of Japanese primiparas becoming mothers: Reliability and validity

Abstract

Objective: We developed a measurement tool that may be used for Japanese primiparas to determine their progress in the transition to being a mother.

Design: Quantitative descriptive study.

Setting: Japan.

Participants: A total of 86 and 395 participants were included in the pilot study and present survey, respectively.

Interventions: Drafting the scale involved creating a pool of items based on semi-structured interviews of primiparas at 1-6 months postpartum. After validating the items through researchers in the field of maternal nursing and midwifery, a web-based questionnaire was used to investigate the reliability and validity of the scale.

Measurements and findings: In the exploratory factor analysis of the pilot study, we explained 5 subfactors and 57 items. In the present survey, upon conducting an exploratory factor analysis of 57 items and investigation of content validity, we were able to explain 5 subfactors and 30 items. The Cronbach's α coefficient for each factor was 0.871-0.648. The inter-item correlation for subfactors with α < 0.7 was r = 0.394-0.465. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed the following indices of goodness of fit of each model: comparative fit index = 0.838, goodness of fit index = 0.821, adjusted goodness of fit index = 0.789 and root mean square error of approximation = 0.07. As concurrent validity, a correlation was identified between three external criteria and the present scale.

Key conclusions: We developed a measurement tool for Japanese primiparas to determine their progress in the transition to being a mother.

Implications for practice: Through this scale, primiparas can objectively assess the transition to becoming a mother as well as developing an understanding of their state. In cases when there are similarities between results of self-evaluation and those of evaluation of others, mothers can subsequently receive various supports that can help empower them.

Keywords: Interview; Japanese; Maternal; Parenting; Primiparas; Transition.