Initial psychometric properties of the Inventory of Functional Status after Childbirth – Revised for Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the initial psychometric properties of the Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth, Revised for Adolescents (IFSAC‐RA). Design: Descriptive, psychometric study. Methods: Initially, data were collected from adolescent mothers about their roles and activities (domains of functioning), and a 44‐item IFSAC‐RA was created. Ten national experts provided a content validity index (CVI) of each item and the total instrument. The instrument was further revised by the author, and a 29‐item IFSAC‐RA was sent back to the 10 experts. Once again, the experts provided a CVI for each item and for the total instrument. Results: CVI for the 44‐item instrument ranged from .3 to 1.0. Fifteen items with CVIs lower than .78 were eliminated. CVIs for the 29‐item instrument ranged from .6 to 1.0. Six items were eliminated. The 23‐item IFSAC‐RA is now ready for further psychometric testing with adolescent mothers. Conclusion: The study provides a model for instrument development and revision before use in research studies with populations different from the sample for which the instrument was developed. The IFSAC‐RA is needed to document baseline functioning and the effectiveness of depression treatment in adolescent mothers with postpartum depression.

Keywords:

• mother(s)
• postnatal depression

Acknowledgements

The author expresses appreciation to the American Nurses Foundation for funding the study, to the 10 national experts who provided content validity ratings for the revised instrument, and to Dr Lorraine Tulman for inspiration and feedback.