The initial development of the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale

Journal article


Brunton, Robyn, Dryer, Rachel, Saliba, Anthony and Kohlhoff, Jane. (2019). The initial development of the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale. Women and Birth. 32(1), pp. 118 - 130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.05.004
AuthorsBrunton, Robyn, Dryer, Rachel, Saliba, Anthony and Kohlhoff, Jane
Abstract

Problem/background
Pregnancy-related anxiety is a distinct anxiety characterised by pregnancy-specific concerns. This anxiety is consistently associated with adverse birth outcomes, and obstetric and paediatric risk factors, associations generally not seen with other anxieties. The need exists for a psychometrically sound scale for this anxiety type. This study, therefore, reports on the initial development of the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale.
Methods
The item pool was developed following a literature review and the formulation of a definition for pregnancy-related anxiety. An Expert Review Panel reviewed the definition, item pool and test specifications. Pregnant women were recruited online (N = 671).
Results
Using a subsample (N = 262, M = 27.94, SD = 4.99), fourteen factors were extracted using Principal Components Analysis accounting for 63.18% of the variance. Further refinement resulted in 11 distinct factors. Confirmatory Factor Analysis further tested the model with a second subsample (N = 369, M = 26.59, SD = 4.76). After additional refinement, the resulting model was a good fit with nine factors (childbirth, appearance, attitudes towards childbirth, motherhood, acceptance, anxiety, medical, avoidance, and baby concerns). Internal consistency reliability was good with the majority of subscales exceeding α = .80.
Conclusions
The Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale is easy to administer with higher scores indicative of greater pregnancy-related anxiety. The inclusion of reverse-scored items is a potential limitation with poorer reliability evident for these factors. Although still in its development stage, the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale will eventually be useful both clinically (affording early intervention) and in research settings.

KeywordsAnxiety; Pregnancy; Antenatal; Maternal; Screening
Year2019
JournalWomen and Birth
Journal citation32 (1), pp. 118 - 130
PublisherElsevier Australia
ISSN1871-5192
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.05.004
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85047598623
Page range118 - 130
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationNetherlands
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