Applying stages of change theory to an acute pain situation: Development of the Childbirth Stages of Change Questionnaire (CSOCQ)

Various self-management methods and pharmacological agents are available to relieve childbirth pain. Decisions about pain management during labor have medical, psychological, and sociological ramifications, yet research investigating the selection of childbirth pain management strategies is scarce. The purpose of the current study was to develop a self-report instrument, the Childbirth Stages of Change Questionnaire (CSOCQ), to assess a pregnant woman\u27s readiness to self-manage childbirth pain. Items representative of five levels of readiness were generated by experts. Next, 3 pregnant women evaluated items for content validity. A pilot CSOCQ was administered to 536 undergraduate women. Factor analysis and item-reliabilities were conducted to evaluate psychometric properties of the pilot scale. Analyses supported a four-factor measure consistent with the Stages of Change model. A revised CSOCQ was presented to 21 pregnant women, and preliminary item analyses indicated acceptable reliability. Additional research should clarify the validity and clinical utility of the CSOCQ