Psychometric properties of the Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale cross-culturally adapted to Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract

Objective To analyze the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale (MCSRS). Methods The MCSRS questionnaire was applied to postpartum mothers before discharge at low-risk maternity hospital in Brazil. The inclusion criteria were maternal age between 18 and 34 years, delivery of a live infant, and gestational age at birth over 36 weeks. In analyzing psychometric properties, dimensionality was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis and reliability by Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. Results Fifty-three questionnaires were filled out by the postpartum mothers for an analysis of psychometric properties. Of the participants, 84.9% had vaginal deliveries; and 58.5% had deliveries by obstetricians and 41.5% by midwives. Two latent dimensions model was significantly better than those obtained with the single-factor model (Dc233 = 145.9, p < .001). The first dimension explains 35% of the variance related to the items covering care giving, and the second explains 17% of the variance related to self-satisfaction and satisfaction with the partner. High communality was found for factor 1 (0.36–0.71) and factor 2 (0.28–0.50). For factors 1 and 2, Cronbach’s alpha was 0.96 and 0.92, and McDonalds’ omega was 0.96 and 0.89, respectively. The reliability coefficient omega for the overall reliability of the questionnaire was 0.97. Conclusion The psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the MCSRS yielded two dimensions related to professional care giving and family. This version demonstrated good reliability and is thus a potential instrument to promote improvement of childbirth care in the country. Nonetheless, confirmation of the structural model of the tool should be sought.