Development of Taiwanese pregnant women adjustment scale

Pregnant women undergo considerable changes in terms of their bodies, emotions, and social roles and are at risk of stress and low quality of life. This study developed an adjustment scale for assessing Taiwanese pregnant women and examined the physical and psychological changes that occur during pregnancy to provide them with appropriate mental health services. On the basis of our literature review and practical experience as well as expert opinion, this study developed the first draft of Taiwanese Pregnant Women Adjustment Scale, comprising 58 items pertaining to the following six dimensions: Physiological changes, psychological stress, negative emotions, positive emotions, quality of marriage, and social support. The scales’ development was divided into three stages: In the first stage, 166 pregnant women were recruited in the pilot study, and the collected data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and internal consistency analysis to develop a 38-item questionnaire. In the second stage, a valid sample comprising 653 pregnant women (sample A) was used to conduct a second EFA to develop the final 31-itme questionnaire. In the third stage, a valid sample comprising 656 pregnant women (sample B) was employed for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The internal consistency coefficient Cronbach’s alpha for the whole scale and the six subscales ranged between.76 and.94, indicating their reliability. The CFA results also indicated that the model was supported by observed data, and the model’s stability was confirmed. The results supported the six-dimension model. Moreover, prenatal depression, three dimensions of quality of life, and adjustment during pregnancy were found to be strongly correlated, indicating criterion validities—consistent with previous results. Thus, the Taiwanese Pregnant Women Adjustment Scale has adequate reliability and validity and could be used to evaluate the degree of adjustment Taiwanese women undergo during pregnancy.