Psychometric properties of the questionnaire for assessing the childbirth experience in a Chinese sample of postpartum women

BACKGROUND: The objective of this paper was to test the psychometric properties of the questionnaire for assessing the childbirth experience (QACE) among Chinese postpartum women. METHODS: Research instruments included the demographic characteristics form, the QACE, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The item analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), known-groups discriminant validity, divergent validity, and internal consistency reliability were assessed for the psychometric properties of QACE. RESULTS: A total of 235 postpartum women were recruited in this study. Item analysis showed that the critical ratios of all items were greater than 3, and all item-total correlation coefficients were greater than 0.4. The fit indices showed that the original correlated four-factor model of QACE was adequate. In terms of the divergent validity, the QACE subscale and total score were in a significant positive correlation with the EPDS and GAD-7. Regarding reliability, the Cronbach's alpha of the QACE was 0.812, ranging from 0.611 to 0.844 for total scale and sub-scales, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The QACE is a valid and reliable tool for measuring childbirth experience among Chinese women sample of postpartum women.