[Applicability of the Polish equivalent of Neonatal Unit Parental Stress Scale [Skala Stresu Rodziców: OItn; SSR: OITN] in clinical diagnosis of women after preterm delivery].

Aim: The aims of the study were: 1) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Polish equivalent of the NUPS Scale, i.e. SSR: OITN [Skala Stresu Rodziców: Oddział Intensywnej Terapii Noworodka], 2) to evaluate the possibilities of employing the described method in clinical diagnosis of women after preterm delivery.

Material And Methods: The analysis was carried out on the basis of the research conducted at the Department and Clinic of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine SPSK 4 [Autonomous Public Teaching Hospital No. 4] in Lublin among 96 patients after preterm delivery. The factor validity of the questionnaire was evaluated on the basis of factor analysis with the use of identifying principal components method. The reliability was assessed with the use of Cronbach's alpha coefficient as well as the correlation values of particular factors with the full scale score.

Results: Strong psychometric properties of the method (global as well as concerning particular factors) substantiate its use and the statistical analysis of the obtained results.

Conclusions: The results of this study validate the application of the SSR: OITN questionnaire to assess the level and structure of stress among women after preterm delivery.