Design and Psychometric Properties of an Instrument to Measure Women’s Readiness for Childbearing Based on Spiteri Model: A Mixed-Methods Protocol Study

Le résumé fourni par la source

Readiness for childbearing is a multidimensional construct encompassing physical, psychological, social, and cultural domains. However, no standardized and psychometrically validated instrument currently exists to comprehensively assess women’s readiness for childbearing. Existing questionnaires primarily measure related constructs, such as fertility attitudes, pregnancy intention, or preconception health behaviors, rather than the multidimensional concept of readiness. Therefore, the development of a comprehensive instrument to assess women’s readiness for childbearing is warranted. The sequential exploratory mixed method study will be conducted in three phases. In the first phase, a qualitative study using directed content analysis will be conducted. Data collection and analysis will follow a deductive approach, guided by a coding matrix developed from the Spiteri model. Developed through the integration of multiple theories and qualitative research, the Spiteri model provides a comprehensive conceptual framework encompassing six core domains—physical, psychological, sociological, cultural, spiritual, and knowledge—making it well suited to guide both the qualitative inquiry and instrument development. The objectives of the qualitative phase are to explore women’s perceptions and experiences of readiness for childbearing, examine the applicability of the Spiteri model within the Iranian context, identify culturally specific dimensions, and generate items for the initial version of the questionnaire. Building on the findings from the first phase, the second phase of the study will involve developing the initial instrument items according to the four stages of the norm-referenced instrument design process. In the third phase, the psychometric properties of the designed instrument will be evaluated. Psychometric steps include face validity, content validity and construct validity. Assessing readiness for childbearing with the designed tool can effectively address women’s concerns and guide the development of targeted interventions in countries with low birth rates, increasing the likelihood of success for fertility-boosting policies.

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