Maternal Compassion Preoccupation Questionnaire (MCPQ)

Description

The Maternal Compassion Preoccupation Questionnaire (MCPQ; Chasson & Taubman – Ben-Ari, 2025) is designed to evaluate maternal compassion preoccupation in mothers caring for young infants. Its development is grounded in the conceptual framework of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction (Figley, 1995, 2002; Stamm, 2002), and self-compassion among caregivers (Delaney, 2018; Galiana et al., 2022; Neff, 2011). The scale initially comprised forty items, formulated from preliminary qualitative research findings related to maternal compassion preoccupation Chasson and Taubman – Ben-Ari (2020) and two existing tools (Stamm, 2010; Neff, 2003). The MCPQ was administered to women with young children (up to 12 months old). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis led to a 3-factor structure with 29 items. Measurement invariance, reliability, and validity results were reported.

Purpose

This measure aims to assess the multifaceted experience of compassion inherent in infant care, reflecting compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and self-compassion.

Test Methodology

The test methodology includes test validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, test reliability, internal consistency, factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and exploratory factor analysis.

Validity

Discriminant validity was supported by comparing the average variance extracted with the maximum squared bivariate correlation of each factor. For convergent validity, compassion fatigue was positively associated with postpartum depression and negatively associated with role satisfaction and mindfulness. Compassion satisfaction and self-compassion were both negatively associated with postpartum depression and positively associated with role satisfaction and mindfulness.

Reliability

Internal Consistency: Maternal compassion fatigue α and ω = .943 and .945; Maternal compassion satisfaction α and ω = .680 and .677; Maternal self-compassion α and ω = .784 and .783.

Factor Analysis

Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed three factors that appeared adequate and corresponded to the theoretical concepts on which they were based, leading to the exclusion of 11 items. The final scale consisted of 29 items with three factors. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) results showed model fit above the required threshold: CFI = .936; TLI = .928, χ² = 574.50, df = 360, p < .001; RMSEA = .049; standardized root-mean-square residual = .056. The Chi-squared value over the degrees of freedom was 1.60. The scale demonstrated measurement invariance across the two samples of mothers.

Population Details

• Population Group: Human; Female

• Age Range: 21-47

• Location: United States

• Respondents: Mothers

Age Group

Adulthood (18 yrs & older); Young Adulthood (18-29 yrs); Thirties (30-39 yrs); Middle Age (40-64 yrs)

Test Type

Original

Instrument Type

Inventory/Questionnaire

Format

Responses are indicated on a 5-point Likert scale. The administration method is electronic.

Language Available

English

Keywords

Compassion Fatigue; Compassion Satisfaction; Maternal Compassion Preoccupation; Self-Compassion; Mothers; Mother Child Relations; Parental Attitudes; Satisfaction; Compassion; Family and Parenting Measures; Self-Compassion

Test Year

2025

Author

Chasson, Miriam; Taubman – Ben-Ari, Orit

Author ORCID Identifier

Chasson, Miriam: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5502-673X

Taubman – Ben-Ari, Orit: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9308-4052

Affiliation

Chasson, Miriam: Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University

Taubman – Ben-Ari, Orit: Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University

Email

Chasson, Miriam: [email protected]

Files

No data is Available

Permissions

May use for Research/Teaching

Fee

No

Correspondence Address

Chasson, Miriam: Bar-Ilan University, Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Ramat Gan, Israel, 5290010, [email protected]

References

Chasson, M., & Taubman – Ben-Ari, O. (2025). The Maternal Compassion Preoccupation Questionnaire (MCPQ): Development and initial validation. Journal of Family Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0001319

Figley, 1995, 2002; Stamm, 2002; Delaney, 2018; Galiana et al., 2022; Neff, 2011; Chasson and Taubman – Ben-Ari (2020); Stamm, 2010; Neff, 2003.

Items of the Maternal Compassion Preoccupation Questionnaire (MCPQ)

Introduction to the Questionnaire: Every woman experiences the period following childbirth in her own way. Above is a list of natural thoughts and feelings that women commonly describe during this period. Please indicate how often you have experienced each of them in the past month.

Items:

1. I care for my baby out of a deep connection.

2. I feel lonely when I’m caring for my baby day after day.

3. I feel the baby has a bond with me.

4. When I feel that things aren’t going the way I imagined, I remind myself that many mothers feel the same way.

5. I accept the fact that during this period things won’t be perfect.

6. I enjoy seeing the pleasure my family gets from my baby.

7. I don’t feel I have the strength to cope with caring for my baby.

8. I’m bored by the routine of infant care.

9. I try to keep a balanced attitude toward my feelings, even the negative ones, during this period.

10. Caring for the baby day after day gives me the sense that I have no value.

11. It’s hard for me to be constantly dealing with diapers, bottles, baths, and feedings.

12. I have no motivation when I wake up to another day of caring for my baby.

13. I’m looking out for myself in every way during this period, watching TV, letting people cook for me or pamper me.

14. I care for the baby mechanically, on auto pilot.

15. When the baby responds to me I feel it gives me strength.

16. I feel I have no one to talk to about the stress I feel with the baby.

17. Caring for the baby 24 hours a day makes me feel bitter.

18. I’m treating myself with understanding and a non-judgmental attitude at this time.

19. I feel tense when I’m caring for the baby.

20. Caring for the baby makes me feel helpless.

21. When things get hard for me I remind myself that my problems are natural and human.

22. I get annoyed as soon as the baby starts crying.

23. I know I can’t do everything. If there are dishes in the sink they can stay there, if there are things on the table it’s not so terrible. Sometimes I just need a rest.

24. I feel restricted by the constant need to maintain the baby’s schedule (feeding, activity, sleep).

25. I don’t feel I’m up to the tasks involved in caring for and feeding the baby.

26. I feel like I’m suffocating when I’m caring for my baby day after day.

27. I’m impatient when I’m caring for the baby.

28. The fact that the baby always demands that I meet his/her needs and I have to be around him/her all the time is hard for me.

29. When things get hard for me, I remind myself that many other mothers have the same difficulties.

Response Scale:

0 = Never
1 = Rarely
2 = Sometimes
3 = Often
4 = Very often