engleski

The validation of the Croatian version of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire

Delivery of a baby is a significant event in the life of the most women, but also stressful event since its nature is unknown, unpredictable, and uncontrollable. Approximately 10% of women experience severe fear of childbirth (FOC), a specific phobia according to DSM-IV. Since FOC is also related to the emergency cesarean section, cesarean section on demand, and analgesics use, it should be addressed in gynecological/obstetrical setting. Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ, Wijma, Wijma, & Zar, 1998) measures woman’s cognitive appraisal of childbirth as either her expectancy before (version A) or experience after the delivery (version B). The validity of the W-DEQ has been proved so far. The aim of this study was to test psychometric properties of the Croatian translation of the W- DEQ. Pregnant women (N=104) without psychiatric disorders in the anamnesis participated in the study. Women in the 8th and the 9th month of pregnancy were administered questionnaires while waiting for the regular prenatal check-up. The Croatian adapted version of the W-DEQ (version A) was administered, as well as State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory (ASI), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and demographic questionnaire. Results of the factor analysis have shown that when one-factor solution was forced, it produced good factor saturation. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach α was 0.92). W-DEQ was in low, but significant correlations with state anxiety, trait anxiety, physical concerns of anxiety sensitivity, and depression. The adapted version of W-DEQ was confirmed to be reliable and valid measure of fear of childbirth in Croatian women.

fear of childbirth; W-DEQ; psychometrics; delivery

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