Perceived Stress in Risky Pregnancy: A Scale Development Study

Objective: This study aims to develop a valid and reliable scale based on Neuman Systems Model to measure perceived stress in risky pregnancies. Methods: This research was carried out with a methodological method. The study was carried out with the participation of 201 pregnant women who were followed in a hospital and whose pregnancy was at risk. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences V23 program was used for data analysis. Within the scope of validity analysis for the development of the scale, (1) content validity with expert opinions and Davis technique, (2) Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) coefficient, Barlett sphericity test, construct validity with explanatory factor analysis, (3) readability with Atesman readability formula (for Turkish) analysis was made. Within the scope of reliability analysis, (1) Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient and item total statistics and internal consistency, (2) Comparisons of lower and upper groups were analyzed. Results: As a result of the analysis, the KMO value of the Perceived Stress in Risky Pregnancies Scale based on the Neuman Systems Model developed by the researchers was obtained as 0.805 and the Bartlett test statistic as 2346,678 (P < .001). The total variance disclosure rate of the three-factor scale was determined as 40.15%. After the analysis, 5 items were removed from the scale and the Cronbach alpha value was found to be .87. In the scale consisting of three sub-dimensions and 34 statements, the highest Alpha reliability coefficient was determined as .86 in the Psychological domain sub-dimension. Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of Physiological and Sociocultural/Developmental/Spiritual domain sub-dimensions, respectively; It was determined as .67 and .73. Conclusion: The scale based on the vital areas of the Neuman systems model was found to be a valid and reliable measurement tool for measuring perceived stress in risky pregnancies.