Convergent validity between two questionnaires that evaluate fear of childbirth validated in spanish: childbirth fear questionnaire (CFQ-e) and Wijma delivery expectancy questionnaire (WDEQ-A-Sp)

Abstract

Background Fear of childbirth is a widespread, multidimensional and complex health issue, which may negatively affect pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum, and should therefore be adequately identified and treated. In the Spanish context, two different validated tools are currently being used to evaluate fear of childbirth i.e., the Spanish versions of the Childbirth Fear Questionnaire (CFQ-e) and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ-A-Sp).

Methods A comparative methodological study was aimed at evaluating the convergent validity of FOC-measuring tools W-DEQ-A-Sp and CFQ-e in a cohort of pregnant women in their second trimester of pregnancy. Secondarily, the reliability (internal consistency and temporal stability) and acceptability (face validity) of both instruments were studied. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC) were used to evaluate convergent validity. The Cronbach’s Alpha and McDonald’s Omega coefficients were used for assess reliability (internal consistency) and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and the Concordance Correlation Coefficient to temporal stability. Bland-Altman plots were used to illustrate the temporal stability.

Results A final sample of 92 women participated the study. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient obtained between the total scores of the CFQ-e and W-DEQ-A-Sp questionnaires was 0.530 (95%CI: 0.365–0.663; p < 0.001). The overall Omega and Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients were 0.925 [95% CI: 0.903–0.947] and 0.926 [95% CI: 0.903–0.947] respectively for W-DEQ-A-Sp and 0.957 [95% CI: 0.945–0.970] and 0.956 [95% CI: 0.942–0.968] respectively for CFQ-e. Regarding temporal stability, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for the W-DEQ-A-Sp was 0.892 (95% CI: 0.828–0.932; p < 0.05) and 0.937 (95% CI: 0.899–0.960; p < 0.05) for the CFQ-e. Similar results were obtained with respect to face validity (comprehensibility and acceptability) for both questionnaires.

Conclusions It was concluded that the correlation between both questionnaires was positive and moderate, and that convergent validity was confirmed. Reliability values (internal consistency and temporal stability) were adequate and face validity indicated adequate acceptability for both questionnaires.