title: A review of research instruments for use during the postpartum period.
abstract: Locating existing instruments available to measure key variables is critical to the success of a research study. However, this process can be a time-consuming activity. In this article, selected instruments available for use in research during the postpartum period are reviewed. These instruments are divided into two categories. The first category deals with instruments that focus on mothers only. These questionnaires measure mothers' perceptions of their deliveries, their adaptation to motherhood, and their breastfeeding experiences. The second category centers on instruments that both parents can complete. These instruments measure parents' perceptions of their parenting role, sense of competence, problem-solving ability, and perceptions of their newborns. The psychometric properties of each instrument are described, and selected nursing research studies that used the instrument are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut, School of Nursing, Storrs 06269-0226, USA. cbeck@uconnvm.uconn.edu
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Beck
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results