Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Birth Satisfaction Scale–Revised in Portuguese postpartum women

Moreira, Helena; Hollins Martin, Caroline J.; Martin, Colin

Abstract

Objective
This study aims to develop a Portuguese-language version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) for clinical and research use in Portugal (PT-BSS-R). The factor structure, its invariance across depression levels, and the internal consistency of the PT-BSS-R were analysed.

Method
A sample of 1373 Portuguese-speaking postpartum women completed a sociodemographic and clinical form, the PT-BSS-R, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale through an online survey tool. Four competing models were tested through confirmatory factor analyses and bifactor model-based psychometric indices were calculated. The internal consistency and the divergent/convergent validity are analysed.

Results
The psychometric properties of PT-BSS-R were found to be generally excellent. Both the original correlated three-factor model and the bifactor model exhibited a good fit to the data. Results from the bifactor model support the use of both the BSS-R total score and the subscale scores. Exemplary invariance findings were observed between groups stratified on the basis of depression screening. PT-BSS-R has demonstrated both divergent and convergent validity as well as internal consistency.

Conclusion
PT-BSS-R is a psychometrically robust measure of birth satisfaction appropriate for clinical and research use in Portugal.

Citation

Moreira, H., Hollins Martin, C. J., & Martin, C. (2024). Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Birth Satisfaction Scale–Revised in Portuguese postpartum women. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 42(4), 715-730. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2176473

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 30, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Feb 14, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: Mar 21, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 15, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0264-6838
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-672X
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 715-730
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2176473
• Keywords: Birth satisfaction, BSS-R, confirmatory factor analysis, bifactor, psychometrics