Modification and Psychometric Analyses of Stress and Coping Scales for the Extended Postpartum Period

Abstract

ObjectiveTo modify and psychometrically assess two scales that are used to measure stress and coping during the extended postpartum period. DesignInstrument modification and psychometric assessment. SettingOnline, community, and health care settings. ParticipantsMothers with infants who were 2 to 22 months old: 20 in Phase 1 and 373 in Phase 2. MethodsIn Phase 1, participants from diverse backgrounds served as content experts to recommend modifications of items on two scales: Sources of Stress–Revised (SoS-R) and Postpartum Coping Scale (PCS). The results were 32-item modified versions of each scale. In Phase 2, we conducted a psychometric analysis of both revised scales using principal components analysis to identify dimensionality, Cronbach’s alphas to estimate internal consistency reliability, and Pearson correlations to estimate validity of the SoS-R and PCS with the Perceived Stress Scale and the Brief COPE, respectively. ResultsWe identified six components for the SoS-R: Overload, Changes After Pregnancy, Baby-Related Concerns, Working Mother Concerns, Low Support Resources, and Isolated Motherhood. The Cronbach’s alpha for the SoS-R was .94. The SoS-R subscales demonstrated correlations with the Perceived Stress Scale that ranged from 0.55 to 0.30. We identified six components for the PCS: Self-Regulation, Spiritual Care, Self-Care, Use and Seek Support, Internal and External Resources, and Health Promotion. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the PCS ranged from .84 to .66. The highest correlations observed between the PCS subscales and the Brief COPE subscales ranged from 0.67 to 0.26. ConclusionThe SoS-R and PCS each include six components. Internal consistency reliability for all SoS-R subscales and four of six PCS subscales exceeded .70. The dimensions of each scale highlight areas of clinical and research concern.