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Abstract
Objectives To evaluate the psychometric properties of a scale we constructed to measure menopause-related symptoms in Hispanic and White non-Hispanic women.
Methods Items were generated from the literature and clinical experiences. Hispanic (n = 123, 51.34 ± 5.14 years) and White (n = 210, 53.36 ± 4.80 years) women completed the scale and other instruments used to validate respective constructs. A subgroup of 69 women completed our scale a second time.
Results Following exploratory factor analysis using the entire sample, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for Hispanic and White women, separately. The same four-factor model (vasomotor, psychological symptoms, relationship(s), and other symptoms) fit data for both ethnic groups. The coefficient α for internal consistency was 0.852 and 0.849 for the initial and second administration, respectively, and the test–retest reliability was significant (p < 0.001). There were differences in factor scores among groups with different menopausal status. Factor scores were significantly correlated with scores of a global quality-of-life instrument (p ≤ 0.001).
Conclusions Our study suggests that the scale is appropriate for use for Hispanic and White non-Hispanic women and is capable of detecting differences among women with different menopause-related symptoms. Menopause-related symptoms measured by the scale were correlated with global quality of life.