Abstract
Objectives: So far, no standardized instrument for the valid and reliable assessment of the constructs ‘subjective well-being’ and ‘coping’ has been established for pregnancy. Presuming that these constructs are distinct phenomena of pregnancy, this study examined the items with which they could be quantified, as well as their internal consistency and validity.
Methods: By conducting analyses of two independent samples (n1 = 297; n2 = 247) of women in their third trimester of pregnancy, the dimensions of these constructs were examined via item analysis and revision as well as factor analysis. Their construct validity was demonstrated by comparison to standardized inventories of similar constructs.
Results: The resulting instrument ‘Schwanger wohlfuehlen’ (feeling comfortable during pregnancy) encompasses 38 items which cover the five dimensions ‘affective well-being', ‘positive body awareness', ‘mobility/ agility’ as well as ‘accommodative coping’ and ‘assimilative coping'. The consistency coefficients ranged from 0.75 to 0.90; reliability was highest regarding ‘affective well-being’ and lowest regarding the coping subscales. Construct validity was mostly demonstrated for ‘affective wellbeing', ‘positive body awareness’ and ‘mobility/agility'.
Conclusion: The instrument ‘Schwanger wohlfuehlen’ will be useful for health care and counselling professionals in the assessment of well-being and coping among pregnant women in their third trimester. It should, however, be further tested with a representative sample in order to overcome selection bias and to improve its generalizability.
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