Translation and preliminary exploration of the psychometric properties of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale in Slovak: PSAS-SK

Design: Quantitative cross-sectional research study.

Methods: The study involved 122 postpartum women (four-eight weeks postpartum, age 29.5; ± 4.8; 19–42). Data were collected using the standardized PSAS-SK questionnaire alongside sociodemographic and anamnestic data. Statistical analyses included nonparametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the results.

Results: Clinically significant levels of postpartum anxiety occurred in 25% of research participants. We found a significant relationship between perception of childbirth as traumatic and increased levels of postpartum anxiety. However, no significant relationship was confirmed between level of postpartum anxiety and education parity, type of childbirth, complications during pregnancy, perinatal loss, skin-to-skin contact, or health complications in the child. The PSAS-SK had high internal consistency in a Slovak research sample (Cronbach’s alpha 0.96). Results of the CFA focusing on confirmation of the four-factor structure of the PSAS-SK indicated the following results: χ2(df = 405) = 2188.0, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.07, RMSEA = 0.008.

Conclusion: The Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale is a valuable tool for the early detection of postpartum anxiety symptoms and for supporting interventions to manage heightened anxiety during the postpartum period, including recommendation of specialized mental health care when appropriate.