Validation of the Iranian version of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale 12-item research short-form for use during global crises (PSAS-IR-RSF-C)

Abstract

Background Due to its high pervasiveness and adversarial consequences, postpartum anxiety has been one of the most worrying public health concerns in the last decade. According to previous research, the occurrence of mental disorders among women in the postpartum period upsurges significantly in the course of universal disasters. The Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale – Research Short Form – for use in global Crises [PSAS-IR-RSF-C] has not been used in Iran for postpartum women during a health system shock. Consequently, this study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the Persian version (PSAS-IR-RSF-C) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed with 180 women who were between six weeks and six months after delivery, by random sampling method from December 2021 to June 2022. The validity of the PSAS-RSF-C in terms of face, content, was analyzed, and the construct validity was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the questionnaire were measured using (Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s ω) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. Results The content validity index and content validity ratio of the Persian version of the PSAS-IR-RSF-C were 0.96 and 0.98, respectively. A three-factor structure was extracted during the exploratory factor analysis process, and model validity was confirmed by the values of fit indices. Cronbach's alpha coefficient, McDonald’s ω and intra-cluster correlation coefficient (95% confidence interval) were 0.74, 0.92 (0.78 to 0.93) and 0.97 (0.93 to 0.98), respectively. Conclusions For the specific assessment of postpartum anxiety among Iranian women during crises, the Persian version of the PSAS-IR-RSF-C is a valid and reliable tool.

A consensus statement on perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for post-pandemic recovery and re-build

“…The PRaM Study also rapidly developed and validated a research short form of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale for use in global crises [PSAS-RSF-C ( 23 );]. This short form was translated into Chinese, Dutch, French, Italian, and Spanish ( 23 ), and validations are underway including in Persian [PSAS-IR-RSF-C; ( 27 )].…”

The Italian language postpartum specific anxiety scale [PSAS-IT]: translation, psychometric evaluation, and validation

“…The English-language PSAS has been subject to modification first as a 12-item research short-form for use in global crises [PSAS-RSF-C; ( 30 )] developed during the pandemic; and also as a 16-item research short-form [PSAS-RSF; ( 31 )]. The scale has also received broad global interest and approved translations have been published in Chinese [PSAS-CN; ( 32 )], Persian [PSAS-IR; ( 33 ), PSAS-IR-RSF; ( 34 ), PSAS-IR-RSF-C; ( 35 )], French [PSAS-FR; ( 36 )]; and Spanish [PSAS-ES; ( 37 )]; with other translations currently ongoing in Brazilian Portuguese, Dutch, Palestinian Arabic, amongst others. In each country, the PSAS demonstrated good acceptability, validity and test–retest reliability.…”