title: Further validation of the Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to assess the psychometric properties of the Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale (PEMS) on a sample of New Zealand midwives.
  
  
  METHODS
  cross sectional study. Midwives completed an online survey containing the 22 item PEMS, and a number of demographic and work-related questions.
  
  
  METHODS
  active practising members listed on the New Zealand College of Midwives database were invited to participate. A sample of midwives who were currently employed by an organisation was extracted (n=600).
  
  
  RESULTS
  exploratory factor analysis on the PEMS identified four subscales (Autonomy/Empowerment, Manager Support, Professional Support, Skills and Resources). This structure differed from that reported by the original scale developers. Each subscale showed adequate internal consistency reliability and was able to distinguish midwives who had considered leaving the profession in the past six months (p=.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the psychometric properties of the revised 19-item four-subscale structure of PEMS were supported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PEMS-Revised provides a psychometrically sound tool for further quantitative research to supplement the growing number of qualitative investigations of midwives perceptions and experiences of their workplace.
authors.affiliation: Rural Health Academic Centre, University of Melbourne, 49 Graham St., Shepparton, Victoria 3632, Australia. Electronic address: jfpallant@gmail.com.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Pallant
authors.affiliation: Midwifery Advisor, New Zealand College of Midwives, PO Box 21 106, Christchurch 8143, New Zealand. Electronic address: practice@nzcom.org.nz.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith Health Institute, Logan Campus, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook Qld 4131, Australia. Electronic address: m.sidebotham@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sidebotham
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith Health Institute, Logan Campus, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook Qld 4131, Australia; Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport South East Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: j.fenwick@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fenwick
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D008880:Midwifery / Q000592:standards*; D009520:New Zealand; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011209:Power, Psychological; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards
keywords: Empowerment; Exploratory factor analysis; Midwifery; Psychometrics