Psychometric properties of a Saudi Arabian version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R)

Maternal outcomes are closely associated with birth satisfaction, and the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R), a concise, multidimensional self-report measure, has undergone translation and validation internationally. However, research on birth satisfaction in Saudi Arabia is scarce. The absence of valid Arabic-language tools for the Saudi population may impede critical research on this topic, necessitating the translation and use of psychometrically sound instruments for measuring birth satisfaction in Saudi women.

This study aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Saudi Arabian version of the BSS-R (SA-BSS-R).

A total of 218 Saudi women participated in the study, and psychometric analysis of the translated SA-BSS-R involved confirmatory factor analysis, divergent validity analysis, and known-group discriminant validity assessment within a cross-sectional study design.

The three-factor BSS-R measurement model displayed poor fit, and internal consistency fell below the threshold value. Additionally, it was observed that women undergoing an episiotomy had significantly lower overall SA-BSS-R scores.

The SA-BSS-R manifested atypical measurement properties in this population. Despite insightful observations related to episiotomy, the identified measurement shortcomings highlight the need for a more robust and culturally sensitive translation to enhance measurement characteristics.