Evaluating the Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to translate the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale into Korean and validate the translated instrument.

Patients and methods: After translating the instrument, seven items of two factors (preparedness and perinatal infection stress) were selected for content validity testing. Validity and reliability were evaluated using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 26.0. An online survey, via Google Forms, was conducted from January 20 to January 26, 2022. Participants were 283 pregnant women in Korea who consented to participate in the study.

Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed factor loadings on two factors of 0.64-0.87 with a total variance explained of 69.77%. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated good model fit (RMR = 0.03, RMSEA = 0.06, GFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.03), and convergent and discriminant validity were established. Concurrent validity was established based on the correlation with the Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (r = 0.45), and the reliability of the final instrument was indicated by Cronbach's α = 0.87.

Conclusion: The Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale was validated for use in the Korean population. The Korean version of the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale can be utilized to measure pandemic-related stress in pregnant women.

Keywords: COVID-19; Korean women; PREPS; Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale; pregnancy stress.