Reliability and Validity of the MADM Scale in Measuring Maternal Autonomy During Hospital Births in Greece

Background: Autonomy in decision making is a critical component of respectful, person-centered maternity care. The Mother's Autonomy in Decision Making (MADM) scale has been widely used internationally to evaluate women's perceptions of autonomy during perinatal period. Objectives: To assess the reliability and validity of the Greek translation of the MADM questionnaire among postpartum women who have given birth in hospitals and clinics in Greece. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 450 postpartum women who gave birth in public and private maternity facilities in Greece. Participants completed the Greek MADM scale, and statistical analyses included exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA/CFA), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC), criterion validity (correlation with the Birth Satisfaction Scale (G-BSS), and Rasch analysis. Results: EFA revealed a one-factor structure explaining 77.6% of the variance (KMO = 0.913; Bartlett's p < 0.001). CFA supported good model fit (CFI = 0.924, RMSEA = 0.085). The Greek MADM showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.951) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.995). Criterion validity was supported by moderate correlations with G-BSS subscales (r = 0.338-0.389, p < 0.005). Rasch analysis confirmed unidimensionality, high item reliability, and acceptable item fit. A cut-off score of 27.5 on the MADM scale was identified to distinguish between high and low-moderate birth satisfaction. Conclusions: The Greek version of the MADM scale demonstrates excellent psychometric properties and is a valid, reliable tool for assessing autonomy in maternity decision making. Its use can enhance quality assessment and promote respectful, autonomy-supportive perinatal care in Greek healthcare settings.