Spousal Communication is a 5-item measure used to assess past, recent and intended spousal communication on matters of family planning and number of children desired.
Short Measure
1.Have you and your spouse ever discussed the number of children you would like to have?
Response Options:
Yes – 1
No – 0
2.How often have you talked to your spouse about this subject in the last 12 months?
Response Options:
Never – 0
Once or twice – 1
More often – 1
3.Do you think your spouse wants the same number of children that you want, or does he/she want more or fewer than you want?
Response Options:
Same number – 1
More children – 0
Fewer children – 0
Don’t know – 0
4.Do you intend on talking to your spouse about contraception?
Response Options:
Yes – 1
No – 0
Don’t know – 0
5.Do you think your spouse approves or disapproves of couples using a method to avoid pregnancy ?
Response Options:
Approves – 1
Disapproves – 0
Don’t know – 0
GEOGRAPHIES TESTED:
POPULATIONS INCLUDED:
Female
AGE RANGE:
Adolescents
Adults
The scores for the five items are added together, and the sum divided by five to obtain the index value. Total scores possible range from 0 to 1.
PRIMARY CITATION:
Sharan, M., & Valente, T. W. (2002). Spousal communication and family planning adoption: Effects of a radio drama serial in Nepal. International Family Planning Perspectives, 28(1), 16-25. https://doi.org/10.2307/3088271
Qualitative Research
Existing Literature/Theoretical Framework
Field Expert Input
Cognitive Interviews / Pilot Testing
Internal
Test-retest
Interrater
Content
Face
Criterion (gold-standard)
Construct
Total Score: 3.50/8 Points (MEDIUM)
For more details, see Scoring Methodology