Psychometric properties of the City Birth Trauma Scale in Black trauma-exposed women.
The City Birth Trauma Scale shows strong psychometric properties in assessing trauma among Black postpartum women, with 4.6% meeting full PTSD criteria.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the mgf (mechano growth factor) corpusSummary and findings
This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the City Birth Trauma Scale (BiTS) among 130 Black postpartum trauma-exposed women. Key measures included internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and factor structure. The findings indicated strong psychometric properties of the BiTS in this population.
Abstract
<b>Background</b>: Black women in the USA, who face disproportionate risks of obstetric complications and adverse birth outcomes, may be at heightened risk of birth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms. However, the City Birth Trauma Scale (BiTS) has not yet been psychometrically evaluated in this population.<b>Objective</b>: This study examined the psychometric properties of the BiTS, including internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and factor structure, among Black postpartum trauma-exposed women.<b>Method</b>: In total, 130 women who were 6-8 weeks postpartum completed the BiTS, along with validated measures of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess BiTS factor structure. Internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and PTSD diagnostic prevalence were also examined.<b>Results</b>: The BiTS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (<i>α</i> = 0.91) and strong convergent and divergent validity with PTSD, depression, and anxiety measures. CFA supported a two-factor model (birth-related symptoms and general symptoms subscales) with good model fit. One-third (33.6%) of women reported their birth as traumatic and met criterion A (e.g. the belief that she or her baby would die during childbirth). Using the BiTS, 4.6% of women met full DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD, while 7.6% were above the established BiTS diagnostic cut-off for probable PTSD diagnosis.<b>Conclusion:</b> The BiTS demonstrates strong psychometric properties in Black postpartum trauma-exposed women.
Background
This paper addresses the psychometric evaluation of the City Birth Trauma Scale (BiTS) in Black women, a group that experiences higher rates of obstetric complications and adverse outcomes. Previous research has indicated that Black women may be at increased risk for birth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms. Understanding the validity of the BiTS in this demographic is crucial for effective assessment and support.
Methods
The study involved 130 Black women who were 6-8 weeks postpartum. Participants completed the BiTS along with validated measures for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was utilized to assess the factor structure of the BiTS, while internal consistency and validity measures were also evaluated.
Results
The BiTS demonstrated excellent internal consistency with α = 0.91. The CFA supported a two-factor model with good model fit. One-third (33.6%) of participants reported their birth as traumatic and met criterion A. Additionally, 4.6% met full DSM-5 criteria for PTSD, while 7.6% were above the BiTS diagnostic cut-off for probable PTSD.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that the BiTS is a reliable tool for assessing birth trauma in Black postpartum women, aligning with previous literature on the psychological impact of childbirth. However, the clinical significance of the reported PTSD rates may be limited by the small sample size and specific demographic focus. The study's results imply a need for further research to validate these findings across diverse populations.
Key findings
- α = 0.91 for internal consistency of the BiTS.
- 33.6% of women reported their birth as traumatic and met criterion A.
- 4.6% of women met full DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
- 7.6% of women were above the established BiTS diagnostic cut-off for probable PTSD diagnosis.
Limitations
- small n=130
- specific to Black postpartum women, limiting generalizability
- cross-sectional design does not assess long-term outcomes