Measuring Adolescent Birth Trauma: Development, Adaptation, and Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties for the Childbirth Trauma Index

Abstract

Background and PurposeChildbirth can have negative consequences; however, measurement tools to assess this event are limited; and none consider the adolescent's birth. This study assessed the psychometric properties of the childbirth trauma index (CTI).MethodsConstruct validity and reliability of the CTI was assessed via a field test involving 160 adolescents 3 days postpartum.ResultsA modified 8-item version of the original CTI exhibited acceptable construct validity and reliability criteria. The CTI was found to link with birth appraisal, but not subjective distress measurements.ConclusionsThe CTI may be a more robust means of assessing birth appraisal than use of single-item measures. Recommendations for practice suggest use of the modified CTI to assess birth appraisal, or use in combination with single-item rating scales