Psychometric evaluation of the Brazilian version of the Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale applied to pregnant women in Primary Health Care. Method This is a methodological study conducted with 937 pregnant women assisted in the Family Health Strategy in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Psychometric sensitivity, construct and criterion validity, and reliability were evaluated. Results The instrument achieved adequate psychometric sensitivity (skewness < 3 and kurtosis < 7). Quality fit indicators of the model were obtained: x2/gl = 4.72, CFI = 0.89, GFI = 0.90, TLI = 0.87, RMSEA = 0.063 (90% CI = 0.059-0.067, p = 0.000). Hypothesis testing indicated associations with marital status (p = 0.036), income (p= 0.030), trimester (p < 0.001), planned pregnancy (p = 0.003), social support (p < 0.001), and family APGAR score (p < 0.001). Significant correlations (p < 0.001) with stress (r = -0.12) and depressive symptoms (r = -0.17) demonstrated divergent criterion validity. Cronbach’s α of 0.874 was recorded. Conclusion The scale showed adequate psychometric evidence for application to pregnant women in the Primary Health Care setting.

Keywords

• Epidemiology
• Maternal-fetal relations
• Primary health care
• Psychometrics
• Validation study