Development and psychometric evaluation of the father-preterm infant bonding scale

Gül U., EFE E., BEKTAŞ M.

Journal of Pediatric Nursing, vol.84, pp.57-65, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 84
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.pedn.2025.05.010
  • Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Nursing
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ASSIA, CINAHL, MEDLINE, DIALNET
  • Page Numbers: pp.57-65
  • Keywords: Bonding, Neonatal intensive care unit, Paternal, Preterm, Scale development
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe the development process of the Father-Preterm Infant Bonding Scale (F-PIBS) and to report the results of its psychometric evaluation. Methods: A methodological, correlational, comparative, and cross-sectional design was employed. The study was conducted between June 2023 and September 2024 and included 182 fathers with preterm infants hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to evaluate the reliability of the scale, and validity was tested using Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient, split-half reliability, item-total correlations, and Hotelling's T-squared test. Results: The scale comprises 10 items distributed across two sub-dimensions. The content validity ratios of the scale items ranged from 0.80 to 1.00. Cronbach's alpha values for the total scale and sub-dimensions were 0.878, 0.796, and 0.845, respectively. Conclusion: F-PIBS is reliable, valid, and appropriate for evaluating father-preterm newborn bonding levels in the NICU.