The development of sudden infant death syndrome awareness scale-mother form and examination of its psychometric properties

Purpose

This study aimed to develop the “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Scale-Mother Form” (SIDSAS-MF) and assess its psychometric properties.

Design and methods

The methodological study involved mothers (n = 450) with infants aged 0–12 months. Data were collected using a socio-demographic information form and the draft of the SIDSAS-MF. Factor analysis and reliability analyses were conducted to assess the data.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the scale revealed a structure consisting of six items and two sub-dimensions. The factor loadings of the scale were found to be above 0.30. Fit indices following CFA were achieved at excellent levels. Both McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha values for each sub-dimension of the scale exceeded 0.6. Furthermore, the correlation values of the items with the total factor score ranged from 0.661 to 0.839.

Conclusions

The study concluded that the six-item form of the SIDSAS-MF is a valid and reliable measurement tool for mothers with infants aged 0–12 months in the Turkish population.

Practical implications

Midwives and nurses can use this scale in their clinical training to determine the level of awareness mothers have towards SIDS. It is also recommended that the developed scale should be adapted to different cultures.