Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of the Pandemic- Related Pregnancy Stress Scale

Background: The pandemic event introduced widespread challenges, with pregnant individuals experiencing heightened stress due to infection risks. Despite its potential relevance for future outbreaks, the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale (PREPS) has not undergone psychometric evaluation in Iran. This study assessed the psychometric properties of the Persian PREPS in a sample of Iranian pregnant women. Methods: This methodological study was conducted in the latter half of 2022. The translation and cultural adaptation were conducted in accordance with the World Health Organization's standardized protocol. A total of 300 pregnant women receiving care at comprehensive health service centers in Gorgan were recruited via convenience sampling, contingent upon meeting inclusion criteria and providing informed consent. Convergent validity was assessed using the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale and the Van den Bergh Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 18 and AMOS version 24. Results : All 300 participants completed the study. The mean age was 28.05 ± 6.32 years, and the mean gestational age was 24.41 ± 6.10 weeks. Most participants were nulliparous housewives with moderate educational attainment and of Persian ethnicity. PREPS scores indicated that 3.0–10.7% of respondents experienced high stress across subscales. Internal consistency was strong (Cronbach α = 0.897). Exploratory factor analysis (n = 150) yielded a three-factor structure, accounting for 62% of the total variance after removing one item with a low factor loading. Confirmatory factor analysis (n = 150) validated the model, with all fit indices exceeding acceptable thresholds after refinement. Convergent validity was supported by significant positive correlations between PREPS subscales and related anxiety measures (total r = 0.44, p < 0.001), confirming satisfactory construct validity. Conclusion: The Persian PREPS demonstrated strong psychometric performance, supporting its use for measuring pandemic-related stress in pregnant populations.