title: Cross-sectional and longitudinal validation of a 13-item fatigue scale among Japanese postpartum mothers.
abstract: This study examined the psychometric properties of a 13-item fatigue scale for postpartum mothers. Japanese mothers (n = 2026) from a cohort study completed questionnaires (e.g. fatigue scale, Japanese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, demographics) during their hospital stay after childbirth (baseline) and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 months postpartum. Initial factor analysis of baseline data revealed that the fatigue scale had three factors or subscales (physical, emotional and cognitive). Within-group analysis across each measurement time revealed the same three-factor structure with acceptable fit. Between-group analysis also showed longitudinal factorial invariance across time. The fatigue subscales had acceptable divergent and convergent validities with the depression scale. The subscale scores differed significantly based on participant background. The Japanese Fatigue Scale is a concise and informative tool for assessing aspects of fatigue in clinical settings and in the community.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Survivorship Research, National Cancer Centre, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Miyako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Nursing, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Emi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Nursing, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sakajo
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Nursing, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Nursing, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Kunie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maehara
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamakoshi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: factor analysis; fatigue; instrument; longitudinal factorial invariance; postpartum period; psychometrics