Pregnancy-Specific Anxiety Tool (PSAT): Instrument Development and Psychometric Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Pregnancy-specific anxiety (PSA) is a distinct mental health concern, separate from general anxiety and depression.
• Accurate measurement tools are needed to identify and manage PSA during pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the Pregnancy-Specific Anxiety Tool (PSAT).
• To create a reliable instrument for measuring PSA and its severity.

Main Methods:

• The study involved two stages: item development/validation and psychometric evaluation.
• Two independent samples (N=494 and N=325) were used for validation.
• Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine the tool's structure and validity.

Main Results:

• A 33-item, 6-factor model of the PSAT was identified, demonstrating good fit.
• The PSAT showed strong internal consistency, stability, and construct validity.
• The tool demonstrated diagnostic accuracy for adjustment disorders (AUC=0.73) and any anxiety disorders (AUC=0.80).

Conclusions:

• The Pregnancy-Specific Anxiety Tool (PSAT) is a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring PSA.
• The PSAT can be effectively used for screening and monitoring PSA in pregnant individuals.
• Scores above 10 on the PSAT suggest the need for further clinical assessment.