Factor analysis of the Parental Stressor Scale in parents of term and near-term surgical newborns. (27th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barr, Peter
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive and infant psychology. Volume 35:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 286
• Page End: 297
• Publication Date: 2017-05-27
• Subjects: Factor analysis -- neonatal intensive care -- parental stressor scale; Human reproduction -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Infant psychology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Child Psychology -- Periodicals; Women -- psychology -- Periodicals; 612.6
• DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2017.1298083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-6838

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS:NICU) in parents of term and near-term surgical newborns. Background : The PSS:NICU is a common measure of the stressors experienced by parents of NICU newborns. A CFA of the PSS:NICU has not been published. Methods: A CFA of the 26-item version of the PSS:NICU (PSS:NICU-26) was conducted using data from 216 parents of term and near-term surgical newborns. A multigroup CFA analysis was conducted to determine if the factor structure of the final PSS:NICU model was invariant across gender. Results: CFA showed the PSS:NICU-26 model was a poor fit for the data. Exploratory factor analysis and CFAs with post hoc modifications resulted in the exclusion of 10 PSS:NICU-26 items. The resultant PSS:NICU-16 model was a good fit for the data and the factor structure was invariant across gender. Conclusion: The PSS:NICU-16 is a reliable measure of NICU-related parental stressors with a structure that is invariant across gender. Although the study findings should be replicated, researchers should consider using the PSS:NICU-16 in studies of parents of term and near-term surgical newborns and studies where a more parsimonious model of the PSS:NICU may be preferred.