Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of the Childbearing Motivations Scale

The Childbearing Motivations Scale (CMS) is a multidimensional self-report measure of positive and negative motivations influencing the decision to become a parent. This study aimed to validate the Italian version of the CMS. A sample of 522 participants (27% men and 73% women) aged from 18 to 55 years was recruited. The four-factor model for the positive subscale and the five-factor model for the negative subscale of the CMS demonstrated a good fit. Reliability values ranged from 0.70 to 0.91. Both factors had evidence for convergent validity with sex, age, and relationship duration: women reported lower in some of the negative motivations to become a mother in contrast to men. Moreover, the greater the age, the lower the negative motivations for becoming a parent. Those in a longer relationship indicated lower negative motivations. No significant correlations were found for the positive motivations subscale. Significant differences were found for income levels (low vs. medium/high) regarding personal fulfillment, financial problems, and body-image concerns, as well as in cultural levels (medium vs. high) concerning economic constraints, intergenerational continuity, immaturity, and physical suffering. These findings suggest that individuals with lower economic resources scored higher across all these areas on the Negative Childbearing Motivations subscale. Our findings indicate that the CMS can be used to reliably assess the motivations for parenthood among Italian men and women.