Psychometric properties of self-reported measures of psychological birth trauma in puerperae: A COSMIN systematic review

To identify and evaluate the psychometric properties of available patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of psychological birth trauma (PBT) in postpartum women.

A literature search was carried out across eight databases—PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals—covering studies published from the inception of each database up to 21 May 2024. English and Chinese language studies employing any research design and reporting at least one psychometric property of PBT in puerperae were included. Independent reviewers extracted data and followed the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines to evaluate three aspects of the included instruments: methodological quality, psychometric properties, and level of evidence assessed using the modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework.

Thirty-one studies with twelve PROMs were included, measurement error, cross-cultural validity, and responsiveness were not reported for most PROMs. Nine PROMs received a Class B recommendation, based on their measurement attribute ratings and overall evidence quality. In contrast, the CTI, IES-R, and PBTAS with high-quality evidence for insufficient measurement properties, so received a Class C recommendation.

This systematic review provisionally recommends the City BiTS as credible tool for assessing PBT in both clinical practice and research involving puerperae. However, further comprehensive studies are needed to conduct more comprehensive validations of the psychometric properties of existing PROMs.