Translation and Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Parental Belief Scale in Iranian Parents

Abstract

Background: This study is done to determine the translation and psychometric properties of the Persian version of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Parental Belief Scale (NICU-PBS) in Iranian parents. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted by the descriptive cross-sectional method. This research was conducted from January to August 2021. The population included all parents whose infants were hospitalized in NICUs of two university-affiliated hospitals (Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences). Out of them, 291 subjects were selected by the purposeful sampling method. The utilized questionnaires included a demographic information form, NICU-PBS, Beck Depression Inventory, and Maternal role adaptation scale. The descriptive statistical indexes, Cronbach’s alpha, intra-class correlation coefficient, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. Also, to evaluate the construct validity of the NICU-PBS, we used Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Results: The participants included 97 fathers (33.33%) and 194 mothers (66.67%). According to the CFA results, the three-factor model NICU-PBS (confidence in the parental role, parent–child interaction, parental knowledge of the NICU) was approved in Iranian parents (χ2/df = 1.79; p < 0.001; GFI = 0.91; AGFI = 0.89; CFI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.05). NICU-PBS with BDI-II (r = -0.42) has divergent validity, and material role adaptation (r = 0.46) has moderate and acceptable convergence validity (p < 0.01). The results of Cronbach’s alpha for the total NICU-PBS were 0.85. Conclusions: The results demonstrated the proper and acceptable validity and reliability of NICU-PBS among Iranian parents.