Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of Paternal Involvement with Infant Scale (PIWIS-J)

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to verify the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of Paternal Involvement with Infant Scale (PIWIS-J) based on the PIWIS, a 35-item, 5-factor developed in the United States.

Methods

This study was conducted on fathers caring for their infants, using an online questionnaire. Participants were recruited from fathers who came to a hospital in Kansai region for a one-month postpartum checkup for their partner/wife and from a website providing childcare information between July and December 2023. A portion of the participants was retested on the PIWIS-J two weeks later. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to test construct validity. To verify the reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha were calculated. Criterion-related validity was tested using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Japanese version of the Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS-J).

Results

Data from 72 and 177 participants were analyzed for reliability and validity testing, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed that the PIWIS-J has a 29-item, 4-factor structure. ICC was 0.80 and Cronbach's alpha was 0.90. The criterion-related validity results showed that the correlation coefficients between the PIWIS-J and the MSPSS and CRS-J were 0.28 and 0.28, respectively.

Conclusion

The reliability and validity of the PIWIS-J have been confirmed in fathers caring for infants. The PIWIS-J would be useful in studying paternal involvement in infant care and its effects on mothers, infants, and fathers.