Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Pregnant Women’s Perspectives on Addressing the Psychological Challenges of Childbirth

Introduction: Pregnant women’s experiences and concerns regarding childbirth are complex, necessitating a multidimensional and personalized approach in maternal care. This study explores the psychological and emotional factors influencing pregnant women’s decisions regarding their mode of delivery....

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Main Authors: Mihaela Corina Radu, Mihai Sebastian Armean, Razvan Daniel Chivu, Justin Aurelian, Melania Elena Pop-Tudose, Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Nursing Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/1/8
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author Mihaela Corina Radu
Mihai Sebastian Armean
Razvan Daniel Chivu
Justin Aurelian
Melania Elena Pop-Tudose
Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu
author_facet Mihaela Corina Radu
Mihai Sebastian Armean
Razvan Daniel Chivu
Justin Aurelian
Melania Elena Pop-Tudose
Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu
author_sort Mihaela Corina Radu
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Pregnant women’s experiences and concerns regarding childbirth are complex, necessitating a multidimensional and personalized approach in maternal care. This study explores the psychological and emotional factors influencing pregnant women’s decisions regarding their mode of delivery. The results will provide valuable insights for the development of educational and counseling strategies designed to support pregnant women in making informed and conscious decisions about their childbirth. Material and method: This cross-sectional study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire exploring the psychological dimensions of childbirth. Factor analysis was employed to assess emotional perceptions, perceived medical risks, and the impact of cesarean section on pregnant women. The questionnaire was distributed online via Google Forms, using social networks like Facebook and Instagram to ensure rapid and broad accessibility. The questionnaire was available for seven months, from January to July 2023. Results: McDonald’s ω, Cronbach’s α, average inter-item correlation, and total item correlations were calculated to assess the consistency of the questionnaire items in measuring the same construct. The three-factor model emerged as the primary structure based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA). The first profile, centered on the psychological and emotional benefits of vaginal birth, highlights the importance of the natural birth experience for the mother’s psychological well-being. The second profile addresses concerns about medical risks and the need for interventions. The third profile focuses on perceptions and concerns related to the intelligence and adaptability of children born by cesarean section and the effects of anesthesia. Conclusions: Each profile reflects different strategies for seeking control and security amid childbirth uncertainties. These include emphasizing the psychological benefits of vaginal birth, addressing medical risks, and focusing on the impact of interventions on child development. Understanding these variables is essential for providing appropriate counseling and psychosocial support, thereby optimizing the birth experience and promoting the health of both mother and child. The integration of multi-factor and single-factor models in the questionnaire analysis serves complementary purposes, providing distinct yet interrelated insights into the instrument’s structure and validity.
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spelling doaj-art-1cd29e52a21344f980098601dc64560c2025-01-24T13:44:27ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032024-12-01151810.3390/nursrep15010008Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Pregnant Women’s Perspectives on Addressing the Psychological Challenges of ChildbirthMihaela Corina Radu0Mihai Sebastian Armean1Razvan Daniel Chivu2Justin Aurelian3Melania Elena Pop-Tudose4Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu5Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Virology, Faculty of Midwives and Nursing, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hateganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Victor Babes, no. 8, 400347 Cluj Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Public Health and Health Management, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Midwives and Nursing, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Microbiology, Parasitology and Virology, Faculty of Midwives and Nursing, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaIntroduction: Pregnant women’s experiences and concerns regarding childbirth are complex, necessitating a multidimensional and personalized approach in maternal care. This study explores the psychological and emotional factors influencing pregnant women’s decisions regarding their mode of delivery. The results will provide valuable insights for the development of educational and counseling strategies designed to support pregnant women in making informed and conscious decisions about their childbirth. Material and method: This cross-sectional study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire exploring the psychological dimensions of childbirth. Factor analysis was employed to assess emotional perceptions, perceived medical risks, and the impact of cesarean section on pregnant women. The questionnaire was distributed online via Google Forms, using social networks like Facebook and Instagram to ensure rapid and broad accessibility. The questionnaire was available for seven months, from January to July 2023. Results: McDonald’s ω, Cronbach’s α, average inter-item correlation, and total item correlations were calculated to assess the consistency of the questionnaire items in measuring the same construct. The three-factor model emerged as the primary structure based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA). The first profile, centered on the psychological and emotional benefits of vaginal birth, highlights the importance of the natural birth experience for the mother’s psychological well-being. The second profile addresses concerns about medical risks and the need for interventions. The third profile focuses on perceptions and concerns related to the intelligence and adaptability of children born by cesarean section and the effects of anesthesia. Conclusions: Each profile reflects different strategies for seeking control and security amid childbirth uncertainties. These include emphasizing the psychological benefits of vaginal birth, addressing medical risks, and focusing on the impact of interventions on child development. Understanding these variables is essential for providing appropriate counseling and psychosocial support, thereby optimizing the birth experience and promoting the health of both mother and child. The integration of multi-factor and single-factor models in the questionnaire analysis serves complementary purposes, providing distinct yet interrelated insights into the instrument’s structure and validity.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/1/8questionnairepregnant womenmidwiveschildbirth educationnursing
spellingShingle Mihaela Corina Radu
Mihai Sebastian Armean
Razvan Daniel Chivu
Justin Aurelian
Melania Elena Pop-Tudose
Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu
Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Pregnant Women’s Perspectives on Addressing the Psychological Challenges of Childbirth
Nursing Reports
questionnaire
pregnant women
midwives
childbirth education
nursing
title Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Pregnant Women’s Perspectives on Addressing the Psychological Challenges of Childbirth
title_full Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Pregnant Women’s Perspectives on Addressing the Psychological Challenges of Childbirth
title_fullStr Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Pregnant Women’s Perspectives on Addressing the Psychological Challenges of Childbirth
title_full_unstemmed Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Pregnant Women’s Perspectives on Addressing the Psychological Challenges of Childbirth
title_short Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Pregnant Women’s Perspectives on Addressing the Psychological Challenges of Childbirth
title_sort validation of a questionnaire assessing pregnant women s perspectives on addressing the psychological challenges of childbirth
topic questionnaire
pregnant women
midwives
childbirth education
nursing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/1/8
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