Screening for Pregnancy-Related Anxiety: Evaluation of the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Scale–Screener Using Rasch Methodology

Abstract

Pregnancy-related anxiety has been linked to many maternal and child-related negative outcomes. However, there is an absence of free, well-validated screeners for this condition. The Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale–Screener (PrAS-Screener) was evaluated using robust Rasch methodology. This study also aimed to develop a shorter version to meet the need of settings governed by professional guidelines stipulating the use of brief instruments. Data from 400 pregnant women ( Mage = 27.82, SD = 5.38) were subjected to Rasch analyses and the resulting Rasch models confirmed in a second sample ( N = 400, Mage = 26.29, SD = 4.95). After minor modifications, the original 15-item PrAS-Screener demonstrated good fit, unidimensionality, excellent targeting, invariance, and internal consistency. After removal of items with content overlap, an 11-item version was developed, with this version showing good fit, unidimensionality, reasonable targeting, and sound internal consistency. The PrAS-Screeners show promise as psychometrically sound clinical scales for screening pregnancy-related anxiety.