Assessing primary Tokophobia among Lebanese childless men and nulliparous women: psychometric validation of the Arabic versions of the fathers' fear of childbirth scale and Tokophobia severity scale.

Abstract

Introduction: Tokophobia is an intense and pathological fear of pregnancy and childbirth. Despite its significance, no research in Lebanon has investigated primary tokophobia within the general population. Nevertheless, it is crucial to assess the attitudes of both women and men, as potential future parents, towards pregnancy and childbirth, particularly during these challenging times for the Lebanese population. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Tokophobia Severity Scale (TSS) and Fathers' Fear of Childbirth Scale (FFCS) for assessing primary tokophobia among Lebanese nulliparous women and childless men, respectively.

Methods: This cross-sectional investigation encompassed all Lebanese governorates; 651 women and 618 men were recruited via social media platforms, using a snowball sampling technique. The questionnaire included the Tokophobia Severity Scale, the Fathers' Fear of Childbirth Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Lebanese Anxiety Scale.

Results: Factorial analysis of the TSS in women revealed a three-factor model: concerns related to personal complications (Factor 1), fetal well-being (Factor 2), and outward behavioral responses to fear (Factor 3). The FFCS also yielded a three-factor measurement model: emotional responses during the partner's childbirth (Factor 1), concerns regarding the hospital environment during childbirth (Factor 2), and anxieties surrounding the perinatal health of both the partner and child (Factor 3). Both scales were internally consistent with Cronbach's alpha > 0.9, indicating their reliability. The TSS and FFCS demonstrated statistically significant correlations with measures of anxiety and depression, thus attesting to convergent validity.

Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence for the psychometric validity and reliability of the TSS and FFCS scales in Arabic-speaking populations. Given the previously overlooked nature of primary tokophobia in these populations, the availability of these validated instruments can significantly enhance the ability to detect and address this condition, ultimately facilitating the provision of necessary support services.