Abstract:

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop the Guilt Sense Scale in Mothers with Hospitalized Children to measure the sense of guilt experienced by mothers whose children are hospitalized. Material and Methods: This methodological study was conducted with the mothers of 253 children hospitalized in the pediatric surgery clinic of a university hospital. Data were collected through a questionnaire. In the study, a 5-point Likert-type scale with 30 items was created. The content validity of the scale was evaluated based on expert opinions, and validity and reliability studies were carried out. Results: The content validity index of the scale, obtained by expert evaluation, was determined as 0.99. The explanatory variance rate of the scale, which consists of 18 items and five sub-dimensions, was found to be 58.1%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that this construct of the scale had sufficient fit values. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of the scale is 0.74. Conclusion: The scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool to measure the feeling of guilt in mothers whose children are hospitalized.