[Correlation between community activity functions and the antecedent factors of mothers and activity forms]

Objectives This study aimed to validate the function of community activities for mothers and examine the constructions of these functions. The relationships between these functions and the antecedent factors of mothers and community activity forms were investigated as well.Method Several items were selected, in accordance with a conceptual framework determined by a preliminary investigation, to measure the function of community activities, mothers' antecedent factors, and community activity forms. The target group was mothers of infants living in metropolitan areas who participated in community activities. The validity and reliability of the Community Activity Function Evaluation Scale for Mothers (CAFES), which includes five subscales, were examined by confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach's reliability coefficient. Covariance structure analysis was also carried out. The construction of the five subscales was examined, and the relationships between the five functions, mothers' antecedent factors, and community activity forms were validated.Results Of the 405 responses (36.8% response rate), 379 (93.5%) were eligible for analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the goodness of fit and reliability of the five subscales model. The five functions were correlated, per covariance structure analysis (CFI=0.858, RMSEA=0.060). Multiple regression analysis validated the relationships between the activity functions and mothers' antecedent factors and activity forms.Conclusion The community activities measured by CAFES worked mutually and were interrelated. The five activity functions showed relationships with mothers' antecedent factors (participation>10 times) and activity forms (mothers participate in half-day activities as administrators). Further studies are required in diverse community groups to refine CAFES for generalized use.