Dataset Information

Abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly: Psychometric properties of a German version of the individual level abortion stigma scale.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Diagnosis of fetal anomaly is a significant life event and social stigma can negatively impact on the well-being of women opting for an abortion. This study investigated the psychometric properties of a measure of stigma among women who had had an abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly in a German setting. METHODS:The Individual Level Abortion Stigma (ILAS) scale was translated into German. Psychometric properties of the ILAS scale were examined among 130 women with a history of an abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly. Individual and situational factors associated with stigma in the context of an abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly were explored. RESULTS:Factor analysis suggested a four-dimensional structure of the German version of the Individual Level Abortion Stigma scale (Cronbach's ?, .83-.91), corresponding to the subscales of the original scale. Test-retest reliability was acceptable for the worries about judgment subscale, the self-judgment subscale, and the community condemnation subscale, but less convincing for the isolation subscale. Associations between the subscales and measures of depression, self-esteem and secrecy were found in directions consistent with theory. Women who did not perceive their fetus to have a low survival chance and women whose fetus was at higher gestational age reported higher levels of stigma, whereas higher perceived partner support was associated with lower levels of stigma. LIMITATION:Generalizability of study results was limited, as participants were recruited from one clinic in Germany and the study had a response rate of 46.5%. CONCLUSIONS:The ILAS subscales are largely reliable and valid measures to assess stigma among women who have had an abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly. Suggestions for improving the assessment of stigma experienced in this population are outlined. The scales can be useful in research aiming at investigating psychological outcomes of abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly and improving care structures.

SUBMITTER: Hanschmidt F

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5997354 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly: Psychometric properties of a German version of the individual level abortion stigma scale.

Hanschmidt Franz F Nagl Michaela M Klingner Johanna J Stepan Holger H Kersting Anette A

PloS one 20180612 6

<h4>Background</h4>Diagnosis of fetal anomaly is a significant life event and social stigma can negatively impact on the well-being of women opting for an abortion. This study investigated the psychometric properties of a measure of stigma among women who had had an abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly in a German setting.<h4>Methods</h4>The Individual Level Abortion Stigma (ILAS) scale was translated into German. Psychometric properties of the ILAS scale were examined among 130 women with ...[more]

PMID: 29894474

Similar Datasets

Project description:OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Individual-Level Abortion Stigma Scale. SETTING:Three hospitals affiliated to Public Hospitals Union General Secretariat in Manisa, a city located in Western Turkey. DESIGN:This was a methodological study. PARTICIPANTS:A total of 230 women aged 22-49 years who previously underwent abortion and volunteered to participate in the study. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES:Data analysis was performed using the SPSS and LISREL software. The Content Validity Index was calculated based on the values obtained from expert opinions. In the reliability analysis, Cronbach's alpha values were calculated for the overall scale and its subscales. To test the stability of the scale over time, the scale was readministered to 30 women in the study 15 days later and the test-retest values (Pearson's correlation coefficients) were determined. In the validity analysis, the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed. In the exploratory factor analysis, the principal component analysis was performed using the varimax rotation and the factor loading of the scale was examined. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to investigate the item-factor construct of the scale. RESULTS:The Content Validity Index was calculated as 0.86. The Cronbach's alpha values ranged between 0.83 and 0.94. The item-total correlation coefficients ranged between 0.36 and 0.72, and the test-retest reliability was 0.96 for the overall scale and its subscales (p<0.05). The total variance revealed by five factors was 75%. Confirmatory factor analysis of the scale revealed an acceptable compliance level (root mean square error of approximation=0.092, χ2/df=2.91, Goodness of Fit Index=0.831, Comparative Fit Index=0.928, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:The results suggest that this scale has the potential for use in research and clinical settings to measure abortion stigma among women.

Project description:BACKGROUND:The Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ) is a frequently used and highly relevant instrument to assess the therapeutic alliance. The questionnaire was translated into German by Bassler and colleagues (1995) and is available for patients (HAQ-P) and therapists (HAQ-T). Whereas the HAQ-P has been tested regarding psychometrics, the HAQ-T has not. This study aimed at further investigating the psychometric properties of both the HAQ-P and HAQ-T. We hypothesized that the instrument is reliable and shows factorial as well as convergent validity. METHODS:Within the framework of a multisite, randomized-controlled clinical trial, comparing the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Analyses System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) and supportive psychotherapy (SP) in the treatment of early onset persistently depressed outpatients, the HAQ was filled out by patients (n?=?255) and therapists (n?= 81). 66.0% of patients were female; average age at randomization was 44.9 years (SD?=?11.8). Several confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test different structures for the HAQ. In addition, correlations between the HAQ and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) were calculated to test for convergent validity. RESULTS:Goodness of fit indices for both a model with two different but strongly related factors named 'relation to the patient/ therapist ' and 'satisfaction with therapeutic outcome' and a second model with only one global helping alliance factor were comparable: Chi-Square-based indices rejected the models; RMSEA closely approached the threshold of good model fit, and CFI/ TLI and SRMR suggested that both models sufficiently fit the data. The internal consistency (Cronbach's ?) calculated for the different scales of the HAQ ranges between questionable to good. Finally, the HAQ scores were significantly related to some of the IIP scores. CONCLUSIONS:The German versions of the HAQ offer sufficient reliable instruments for the quick assessment of different facets of the therapeutic alliance. The HAQ global scores can be used as indicators for the global impression of the patients and therapists perception of the quality of the therapeutic alliance. However, the small correlations found between the IIP and the HAQ puts the question of external validity into perspective. TRIAL REGISTRATION:This study analysed data from a RCT which was registered on ClinicalTrials.com ( NCT00970437 ). First submitted on September 1, 2009.

Dataset Information

Abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly: Psychometric properties of a German version of the individual level abortion stigma scale.

Publications

Abortion after diagnosis of fetal anomaly: Psychometric properties of a German version of the individual level abortion stigma scale.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets