Validity and reliability of the T urkish version of the M aternal A ntenatal A ttachment S cale

AIM: The objective of this study was to translate the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS) into Turkish, to adapt it to Turkish cultural conditions, and to determine its validity and reliability. METHODS: This study was conducted in a state hospital in the Central Anatolia Region, Sivas, Turkey. A total of 190 pregnant women were included in the study. Data was collected by MAAS. The validity of language, content, and construct were examined to evaluate the validity of the MAAS. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency reliability. RESULTS: The consistency of specialist opinion on the scale, translated into Turkish and back-translated, was determined (Kendall W = 0.11; P > 0.05). The factor loadings resulting from the factor analysis directed at the construct validity of the scale were in the 0.33-0.71 range, and the items were grouped under two factors. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient overall for the entire scale was 0.79; it was calculated as being 0.76 for the first sub-dimension (11 items) and 0.65 for the second sub-dimension (eight items). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the MAAS is a valid and reliable tool for the evaluation of the maternal-fetal attachment level in the antenatal period.