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Validation of the multidimensional health locus of control scales for labor and delivery
Author(s) -
Stevens Natalie R.,
Hamilton Nancy A.,
Wallston Kenneth A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
research in nursing and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1098-240X
pISSN - 0160-6891
DOI - 10.1002/nur.20446
Subject(s) - locus of control , childbirth , psychology , construct validity , internal consistency , psychometrics , construct (python library) , clinical psychology , reliability (semiconductor) , developmental psychology , pregnancy , power (physics) , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics , computer science , biology , programming language
Abstract No current instrument assesses women's health locus of control beliefs in relation to childbirth. Form C of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales was used to develop items for a new instrument specific to labor and delivery (MHLC‐LD). Psychometric analyses conducted with two independent samples of pregnant women supported a three‐factor model of the new instrument, consisting of Internal, Powerful Others, and Chance subscales. Results revealed modest coefficient alphas (>.70) for the subscales and demonstrated construct validity in known group analyses. Future validation research will focus on improving the internal consistency reliability of the MHLC‐LD, testing factorial invariance across demographic groups, and examining the relationships between obstetric risk, previous birth experiences, and beliefs about control over childbirth outcomes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 34:282–296, 2011