Menopause Myths: A Scale Development Study

This study aimed to develop and validate the Menopause Myths Scale, ensuring its psychometric robustness. The methodological study was conducted between September 1, 2023, and March 1, 2024, using the Introductory Information Form and the Menopause Myths Scale Draft Form for data collection. The scale development process was structured into five key phases: literature review, item pool generation, content validity assessment, pilot administration of the scale, and psychometric analysis. During the content validity stage, the initial 30-item scale draft was evaluated by 17 experts, leading to a Content Validity Index (CVI) score of 0.68. After conducting Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), several items were removed, refining the structure. Through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), the final version of the scale was established with 13 items across three subscales. The CFA results indicated an acceptable model fit, with the following goodness-of-fit indices: χ²/sd: 3.158; GFI: 0.918; AGFI: 0.878; CFI: 0.938; RMSEA: 0.079; SRMR: 0.063. To assess temporal stability, the test-retest method was employed, demonstrating strong reliability over time (ICC: 0.828; p<0.001). Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s Alpha, which was 0.871 for the overall scale, with subscale values ranging between 0.792 and 0.854. Findings confirm that the Menopause Myths Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing women’s beliefs about menopause. This scale contributes to the literature by providing a standardized tool for evaluating prevalent menopause-related myths.