Development and validation of the Peripartum depression scale

Abstract

Background: Peripartum depression (PPD) is the most common peripartum mental health problem. However, none of the available questionnaires evaluates depressive symptoms according to the latest DSM-5-TR (APA, 2022). Peripartum Depression Scale (PDS) is a new measure of PPD developed according to DSM-5-TR full criteria and postpartum-specific symptoms described in the literature. The aim of this study was to validate a new scale to assess depression in pregnancy and postpartum. Methods: In this online cross-sectional study, 513 pregnant women and 751 women within the 12 months postpartum completed a new PDS consisting of 43 items from Criterion A, rated on a four-point scale, and seven items on the remaining DSM-5-TR criteria. They also completed Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), and General Data Questionnaire. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the one-factor model had a poor fit, but the 9-factor with a second-order factor in postpartum sample and 10-factor model with a second-order factor in pregnant sample, on the same 42-item version of scale, had a good fit to the data. The reliability of McDonald's ω of .96 was very high in both pregnant and postpartum women. Convergent and known-groups validity was demonstrated; however, correlations with stress were high. Limitations: Clinical interview was not administered. Conclusion: Peripartum Depression Scale is a 42-item instrument which is shown to be a valid and reliable measure to assess depression symptoms both during pregnancy and the full postpartum year according to DSM-5-TR criteria and current literature on peripartum-specific symptoms.

Keywords

• Peripartum depression
• Pregnancy
• Postpartum
• Scale
• Diagnosis
• Validation