Spanish validation and factor structure of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R)

To translate and validate a Spanish-language version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) and describe key measurement properties.

A cross-sectional instrument validation design examining factor structure, validity and reliability.

Three public hospital sites in Spain.

202 women who had given birth within the past four weeks provided complete questionnaire data for analysis.

Measures included the Spanish version of the BSS-R (S-BSS-R) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The tri-dimensional measurement model of the BSS-R was found to offer a good fit to Spanish data. Known-groups discriminant validity was found to be excellent with women experiencing a non-intervention delivery having higher S-BSS-R scores (p < 0.05) compared to those having an intervention. Women who had no pain control were found to have greater S-BSS-R total and S-BSS-R women's attributes and stress experienced sub-scale scores compared to those who received pain control (p < 0.05). Total scale internal reliability was also found to be acceptable. Evidence for good divergent and convergent validity was also found across total and sub-scale S-BSS-R scores.

The S-BSS-R was found to have generally good to excellent psychometric properties and represents a valid and reliable translation of the original version of the BSS-R for use in Spanish-speaking populations. The development of the S-BSS-R enables comparison of birth satisfaction with international study data where the BSS-R is used.

The relationship of both delivery type and pain control to birth satisfaction represent important areas for further research.