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Pregnancy
Real world research

Psychometric proprieties of the Arabic Cambridge worry scale among pregnant women

02 July 2023
Research
02 July 2023
Volume 31 · Issue 7

Abstract

Background/Aims

The reliability and validity of an Arabic version of the Cambridge worry scale have not been established among Arabic-speaking women. The aim of this study was to validate the Arabic version of the scale with a sample of pregnant women in Jordan.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with pregnant women (n=369) in their third trimester. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to explore the underlying structure of the Arabic scale.

Results

The exploratory factor analysis suggested a four-factors construct jointly accounting for 83.7% of variance. The factors were sociomedical, socioeconomic, health of the mother/others and baby, and relationships. The confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-factor model with a root mean square error of approximation of 0.073. The alpha coefficient for the Arabic subscales ranged from 0.86–0.97.

Conclusions

The Arabic version of the scale is a valid and reliable measure of common worries during pregnancy. It can provide valuable information on common concerns experienced by Jordanian women and guide psychosocial care. Understanding women's concerns will enable healthcare professionals to provide assistance and support, as well as to better meet pregnancy-related and psychosocial needs of pregnant women.

Dur ing pregnancy, many women experience multiple psychological changes, and may worry about various elements of pregnancy and birth (Osborne et al, 2021). Multiple factors may increase worry among pregnant women, such as a confirmed diagnosis of fetal malformation during the antenatal period or the risk of miscarriage (Thorsness et al, 2018). Pregnant women may also worry about their ability to mother, employment and career disruptions, having adequate savings or changes to the marital relationship (Mortazavi and Akaberi, 2016).

Worry adversely affects maternal and infant health (Gourounti et al, 2012). As a result of worry, pregnant women may experience cardiac palpitations, muscle weakness, insomnia, stomach pain and headaches (Costa et al, 2020). Enhanced worry can also decrease maternal blood flow, contributing to complicated perinatal outcomes, including premature birth (DeSocio, 2018). Given the importance and significance of maternal wellbeing, assessing worry during pregnancy is crucial.

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Anxiety
Arabic
Pregnancy
Psychometric
Validation study
Worry