Turkish Validity and Reliability Study of the Maternal Identity Scale

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BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to conduct a Turkish validity and reliability study of the Maternal Identity Scale. METHODS: This study employed a methodological approach. The study's sample population comprised 407 women who gave birth to infants between 4 and 12 months of age and who did not experience any postpartum health complications requiring hospitalization. RESULTS: The scale was found to comprise 23 items and three factors: Attachment to the Infant, Role Competence, and Gratification in the Role. These factors collectively explained 49.7% of the total variance. While the number of factors remains equivalent to the initial version of the scale, it deviates from the original in that the original scale comprises 24 items and accounts for approximately 33%-66% of the total variance. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) indicated that the scale demonstrated acceptable model fit, as reflected by GFI = 0.92, AGFI = 0.90, NFI = 0.84, PGFI = 0.76, and RMR = 0.02. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the overall scale was calculated to be 0.84. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the subscales were 0.81 for the attachment to the infant subscale, 0.76 for the role competence subscale, and 0.82 for gratification in the role. The scale evaluation relies on both sub-dimension and total mean scores. As the score on the scale increases, the development of maternal identity correspondingly increases. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that the Turkish version of the Maternal Identity Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing maternal identity in mothers with infants aged 4-12 months. Health professionals are advised to utilize the Maternal Identity Scale for the evaluation of maternal identity development in postpartum women.