Development of a Quality of Life (QOL) scale for women in pregnancy

Abstract

We developed the Quality of Life Scale for Pregnant Women (QOLPW). Data of 351 women (M_age=32.27 year; SD=4.31) in 14th to 40th weeks of pregnancy were collected from a cohort study in Ibaraki City and a pregnant women’s Quality of Life survey conducted throughout Japan. The demographic variables of the participants, QOL, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores of the two studies were analyzed. Factor analysis indicated five factors: “Psychological Health,” “Physical Health,” “Social Relationships,” “Life Environment,” and “Social Welfare Environment.” Moreover, the QOLPW scale and its sub-scales had good internal consistency and construct validity.