Validity and reliability of the Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the psychometric properties of a scale measuring mothers' perceptions of readiness for discharge after birth.


METHODS
Psychometric analyses including construct validity using factor analysis and known groups comparisons, predictive validity, and reliability. Data were collected at discharge and 6 weeks postdischarge.


METHODS
Tertiary-level perinatal center in the Midwestern United States.


METHODS
1,462 postpartum mothers.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale scores; subscale scores for personal status and knowledge factors.


RESULTS
Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the scale contained two factors. Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale scores were lower for mothers who were breastfeeding, married, primiparous, and had a short hospital stay (less than 30 hours) than for their comparison groups. The Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale personal status factor was predictive of self-reported physical and psychosocial problems and unscheduled utilization of health services in the first 6 weeks postpartum. The knowledge factor was predictive of postdischarge telephone calls to the pediatric provider. Reliability estimates ranged from 0.83 to 0.89 for the total scale and subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
The Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale performed well in psychometric testing. Assessing mothers' perceptions of readiness for discharge is important for measuring outcomes of hospitalization and for identifying mothers at risk for postdischarge problems.
Weiss
Marianne E
ME
Marquette University College of Nursing, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, USA. marianne.weiss@marquette.edu
Ryan
Polly
P
Lokken
Lisa
L
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017533:Marital Status; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010298:Parity; D010351:Patient Discharge; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011594:Psychometrics; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards