Confirmatory factor analysis of the menopausal interpretations/perceptions questionnaire

This study aims to develop the Menopausal Interpretations/Perceptions Questionnaire (MIPQ) using confirmatory factor analysis.

A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to examine the MIPQ. We recruited 228 women through mail-outs and word of mouth. The women were aged between 45 and 64 years (mean [SD], 55.6 [5.2] y) and were able to read and write English. Most were non-Hispanic white (63.4%), college-educated (74.2%), and postmenopausal (76.8%). We modified the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire to reflect menopausal perception by substituting the word "menopause" or "menopausal symptoms" for the word "illness" to develop the MIPQ.

Using confirmatory factor analysis to test the MIPQ model, we deleted 22 items that did not reflect their respective subscales (latent variable). The fit indices indicated acceptable fit (χ209 = 425.5; P = 0.000; goodness of fit = 0.96; comparative fit index = 0.93; root mean square error of approximation = 0.07; 90% CI, 0.06-0.08; Akaike information criterion = 559.5). There were significant correlations among the MIPQ constructs. Correlations between the MIPQ subscales and the Greene Climacteric Scale were significant and in the expected direction, supporting construct validity. The intercorrelations between the MIPQ subscales supported the discriminant validity of the constructs.

The MIPQ provides a comprehensive measure of menopausal experience to more fully understand women's interpretations/perceptions of their experiences. Future researchers should further examine the construct validity of the MIPQ.