Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Cox JL; Holden JM; Sagovsky R

doi:10.1192/bjp.150.6.782

Research Methods · Measurement and Statistics

Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R

Published June 1987 The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science, 150(6), 782-786

DOI 10.1192/bjp.150.6.782 PMID 3651732

Abstract

The development of a 10-item self-report scale (EPDS) to screen for Postnatal Depression in the community is described. After extensive pilot interviews a validation study was carried out on 84 mothers using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for depressive illness obtained from Goldberg's Standardised Psychiatric Interview. The EPDS was found to have satisfactory sensitivity and specificity, and was also sensitive to change in the severity of depression over time. The scale can be completed in about 5 minutes and has a simple method of scoring. The use of the EPDS in the secondary prevention of Postnatal Depression is discussed.

Topics

Research Methods › Measurement and Statistics › Instrument Development and Validation · Postpartum › Mental Health › Depression Screening

PMID 3651732 3651732 DOI 10.1192/bjp.150.6.782 10.1192/bjp.150.6.782 Cox et al. 1987, Cox 1987

Keywords

Adult, Depressive Disorder/diagnosis, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Puerperal Disorders/diagnosis

Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Abstract

Topics

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Keywords