Translation and validation of the Hungarian version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R)

Abstract

Background: Evidence relating maternal birth experience to a range of maternal and neonatal outcomes is increasingly compelling. Consequently valid and reliable self-report of birth experience from the mothers perspective is critical.

Aim: The current study sought to translate and validate a Hungarian-language version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R).

Method: Following forward and backwards translation into Hungarian, the Hungarian BSS-R (HU-BSS-R) was administered to women in a major Transylvanian hospital maternity unit within 72 h postpartum. Key psychometric characteristics were then examined in relation to factor structure, divergent and convergent validity, internal consistency, and known-groups discriminant validity.

Results: Two-hundred and thirty-two women completed the HU-BSS-R. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the HU-BSS-R to offer an excellent fit to data for the established tri-dimensional measurement model. The HU-BSS-R was also found to offer excellent convergent and divergent validity and known-groups discriminant validity. No significant differences were observed between internal consistency observations between the current study and the original UK validation study.

Conclusions: The HU-BSS-R is a valid and reliable translation of the original BSS-R, it has proved itself to have excellent psychometric properties and is suitable for use in the Hungarian maternity context.

Keywords: Birth experience; Birth satisfaction; Psychometrics; Scales.