Abstract
Abstract
Background
Positive childbirth experiences are an important component of high-quality maternity care and may influence maternal psychological well-being, mother–infant bonding, and future reproductive decisions. The Questionnaire of Assessment of Childbirth Experience (QACE) is a validated instrument developed to assess women's experiences of childbirth. This study aimed to translate, and validate the Polish version of the QACE.
Methods
A cross-sectional methodological study was conducted among 398 postpartum women recruited at a tertiary referral hospital in Poland. The Polish version of the QACE was developed using a standardized forward–backward translation process. Psychometric evaluation included assessment of construct validity, internal consistency, cross-language reliability, measurement invariance, and known-groups validity.
Results
The Polish version of the QACE demonstrated excellent psychometric properties. The original four-factor structure was confirmed, and the questionnaire showed good construct validity, satisfactory consistency, and excellent agreement between the Polish and English versions. Measurement invariance analyses supported comparisons between women with different modes of delivery, while known-groups validity confirmed the instrument's ability to distinguish between clinically relevant groups.
Conclusions
The Polish version of the QACE is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing childbirth experiences among Polish women. Its use may facilitate standardized evaluation of maternity care, support clinical practice, and promote research on women's childbirth experiences in Poland and international settings.