The Development and Validation of a Satisfaction and Emotional Perception Scale for Women Undergoing Fertility Treatment

Abstract

Background/Objectives: It is known that assisted human reproduction in infertility causes psychological and mental instability in those undergoing this treatment. Patient satisfaction, personal experiences with assisted reproduction treatment (IVF) and self-perception of emotional distress require a comprehensive study using complete and scientifically validated instruments. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a scale enabling nurses to assess patient satisfaction with the care they receive, personal satisfaction with the assisted reproduction treatment process, and self-perceptions of emotional discomfort. Methods: This study employed a mixed research strategy. Initially, a systematic literature review informed the qualitative phase, which involved expert focus groups in formulating the questionnaire items. Subsequently, the developed scale underwent psychometric analysis in the quantitative phase and was given to women undergoing fertility treatment. Results: The scale was found to have an acceptable level of factorial validity and reliability. The items were consistent and homogeneous, with high saturation in their respective factors (3). A negative covariance was observed between factors 1 and 2, and between factors 2 and 3, along with a positive covariance between factors 1 and 3. Furthermore, it was found that satisfaction with nursing care (F1) was associated with a lower need for professional psychological help and that a greater perception of emotional well-being (F2) was associated with a greater need for this type of help (F1: β = −0.07, p = 0.002; F2: β = 0.10, p = 0.004). Conclusions: This scale is a robust and dependable instrument, demonstrating its validity and reliability. Most notable are its user-friendly nature, ease of administration, and minimal time needed. Moreover, the scale proves effective in identifying women who require professional psychological support, which is a critical distinction with significant implications for patient care. In practical terms, the scale equips nurses with a powerful tool for conducting a thorough and efficient assessment of women undergoing fertility treatment.