The Childbearing sense of coherence scale (CSOC-scale): development and validation

Abstract Background the salutogenic theory is essential to explain an individual’s ability to maintain health during the perinatal period. While previous studies mainly focused on the perspectives from a family-level orientation and a global orientation, the purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a scale, the childbearing sense of coherence scale (CSOC-scale) from the individual’s perceptions of the stresses, resources, and meaningfulness of childbearing. Methods A total of 3 separate studies contributed to the development of the CSOC-scale between July 2022 and February 2023. In study 1, the initial item pool based on the conceptual framework of the childbearing sense of coherence and the salutogenic theory was developed. Delphi expert consultation was conducted to revise and improve items. Studies 2 and 3 were cross-sectional studies. In study 2, item analysis and explore factor analysis (EFA) ( N = 351 for women, N = 256 for men) were used to screen items. In study 3, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability analysis ( N = 366 for women, N = 308 for men) were used to test the fit indices and reliability of the final scale. Results final analysis suggested the CSOC-scale includes three factors, consisting of 13 items. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good model fit ( χ 2 = 157.448, df = 62, χ 2 / df = 2.539, RMSEA = 0.065, CFI = 0.974, TLI = 0.968, SRMR = 0.029 for women; χ 2 = 181.363, df = 62, χ 2 / df = 2.925, RMSEA = 0.079, CFI = 0.968, TLI = 0.960, SRMR = 0.033 for men) and high factor loadings (from 0.751 to 0.929 for women; from 0.746 to 0.947 for men). Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α ranging from 0.895 to 0.933 for women and 0.881 to 0.945 for men in three dimensions; Cronbach’s α was 0.919 for women and 0.821 for men in the entire instrument) and split-half reliability (Spearman-Brown coefficients ranging from 0.876 to 0.921 for women and 0.841 to 0.937 for men in three dimensions; Spearman-Brown coefficient was 0.744 for women and 0.785 for men in the entire instrument) were excellent. Conclusions the CSOC-scale has robust psychometric properties. It is reliable and valid in evaluating the childbearing sense of coherence in women and men during pregnancy. Utilisation of this scale can help healthcare professionals understand the health maintenance competencies of couples during the transition of parenthood and provide health promotion services from a salutogenic perspective.