Construct Validation of the Perceived Maternal Task Performance Scale

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric property of construct validity for the "Perceived Maternal Task Performance Scale". The Perceived Maternal Task Performance Scale (PMPTS) (previously referred to as the MRPS) was developed by Perry (1985) and Gottlieb to measure a mother's self-reported performance in carrying out common infant care tasks. Maternal task performance refers to a mother's ability to assess infant care needs and to a mother's skill in performing activities in the areas of feeding, sleeping, crying, elimination, clothing, play, safety and illness (Chao, 1979; Roberts, 1983). "Assessment" refers to the mother's ability to recognize and to make judgements regarding her infant's needs (Perdue, Horowitz, & Herz, 1977), whereas "performance" refers to the mother's ability to carry out infant care activities. The PMPTS was based on the assumption that maternal behaviours are learned in the process of caring for an infant and that, with caregiving experience, a mother will master these skills. As an evaluation of learning, the instrument measures both a mother's ability to assess her infant's needs as well as her ability to perform specific caregiving activities.