Measuring stress after childbirth: development and validation of the Maternal Postpartum Stress Scale
Sandra Nakić Radoš, Maja Brekalo, Marijana Matijaš
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Due to a wide range of stressors during the first postpartum year, this study aimed to develop and validate a self-report measure of stress intensity specific for postpartum. METHOD: = 603) completed the Maternal Postpartum Stress Scale in a cross-sectional online study. They also filled out questionnaires on general stress, depression, and anxiety . Factor analysis, reliability, and validity were examined. RESULTS: . The reliability of the total scale and all subscales was good. Significant positive correlation with general stress indicated good convergent validity, and with depression and anxiety good divergent validity. Primiparous mothers had a higher score on the Infant nurturing subscale, and the mothers of infants with health problems had a higher score on the total scale, Personal needs and fatigue, and Infant nurturing. CONCLUSION: Maternal Postpartum Stress Scale is a new, valid, and reliable 22-items scale that measures stress during the first postpartum year. The total scale and tree subscales can be calculated separately to provide detailed information about stressors that mothers struggle with. The scale can be used for research and practical purposes.