Measuring Fear of Childbirth Among a Diverse Population in the United States: A Revised Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Scale (WDEQ ‐10)

The objective of this study was to revise the WDEQ and analyze its reliability and validity for use in the United States.MethodsThe questionnaire was revised using qualitative data from a previously published study of fear of childbirth within a racially, ethnically, and economically diverse group of pregnant or postpartum people in the United States. Psychometric properties were analyzed in terms of construct validity, reliability, and factor analysis from a group of 329 participants.ResultsThe revised and shortened 10 item WDEQ-10 comprises 3 subscales: fear of environmental factors, fear of death or injury, and fear of how they feel. The results indicate that the WDEQ-10 demonstrates good reliability and validity and confirmed the multidimensionality of fear of childbirth through a 3-factor solution.DiscussionThe WDEQ-10 is a readable and accessible instrument that will allow health care providers and researchers to accurately measure complex components of how pregnant people experience fear of childbirth.
Source: Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health - Category: Midwifery Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research