Faculty Collaboration Database

Validity and reliability of the Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2006;35(1):34-45

Date

02/10/2006

Pubmed ID

16466351

DOI

10.1111/j.1552-6909.2006.00020.x

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-33646168578 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   48 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the psychometric properties of a scale measuring mothers' perceptions of readiness for discharge after birth.

DESIGN: Psychometric analyses including construct validity using factor analysis and known groups comparisons, predictive validity, and reliability. Data were collected at discharge and 6 weeks postdischarge.

SETTING: Tertiary-level perinatal center in the Midwestern United States.

PARTICIPANTS: 1,462 postpartum mothers.

INTERVENTION: None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale scores; subscale scores for personal status and knowledge factors.

RESULTS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the scale contained two factors. Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale scores were lower for mothers who were breastfeeding, married, primiparous, and had a short hospital stay (less than 30 hours) than for their comparison groups. The Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale personal status factor was predictive of self-reported physical and psychosocial problems and unscheduled utilization of health services in the first 6 weeks postpartum. The knowledge factor was predictive of postdischarge telephone calls to the pediatric provider. Reliability estimates ranged from 0.83 to 0.89 for the total scale and subscales.

CONCLUSIONS: The Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale performed well in psychometric testing. Assessing mothers' perceptions of readiness for discharge is important for measuring outcomes of hospitalization and for identifying mothers at risk for postdischarge problems.

Author List

Weiss ME, Ryan P, Lokken L

Author

Marianne Weiss DNSc Associate Professor in the College of Nursing department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Analysis of Variance
Attitude to Health
Breast Feeding
Delivery, Obstetric
Educational Status
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Female
Health Services
Humans
Length of Stay
Longitudinal Studies
Marital Status
Midwestern United States
Mothers
Nursing Assessment
Nursing Evaluation Research
Parity
Patient Discharge
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Psychometrics
Self Efficacy
Self-Assessment
Surveys and Questionnaires