Initial psychometric properties of the Inventory of Functional Status after Childbirth - Revised for Adolescents

The purpose of the study was to establish the initial psychometric properties of the Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth, Revised for Adolescents (IFSAC-RA). Design: Descriptive, psychometric study. Methods: Initially, data were collected from adolescent mothers about their roles and activities (domains of functioning), and a 44-item IFSAC-RA was created. Ten national experts provided a content validity index (CVI) of each item and the total instrument. The instrument was further revised by the author, and a 29-item IFSAC-RA was sent back to the 10 experts. Once again, the experts provided a CVI for each item and for the total instrument. Results: CVI for the 44-item instrument ranged from .3 to 1.0. Fifteen items with CVIs lower than .78 were eliminated. CVIs for the 29-item instrument ranged from .6 to 1.0. Six items were eliminated. The 23-item IFSAC-RA is now ready for further psychometric testing with adolescent mothers. Conclusion: The study provides a model for instrument development and revision before use in research studies with populations different from the sample for which the instrument was developed. The IFSAC-RA is needed to document baseline functioning and the effectiveness of depression treatment in adolescent mothers with postpartum depression.