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Postpartum depression: the reliability of telephone screening
Anne Marie Mitchell1, Mary E Mittelstaedt, Darlene Schott-Baer
1Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA. Mitchell@oakland.edu
MCN. the American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing
|December 7, 2006
Summary
Telephone screening effectively identifies postpartum depression symptoms weeks after hospital discharge. This reliable method aids in early detection for at-risk mothers, improving maternal mental health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Mental Health
- Healthcare Delivery
Background:
- Postpartum depression (PPD) affects a significant number of women.
- Traditional screening often occurs during early postpartum office visits.
- Symptoms may emerge or persist beyond the typical 6-week check-up.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability of telephone screening for postpartum depression symptoms.
- To assess the effectiveness of remote assessment post-hospital discharge.
Main Methods:
- Correlational design utilizing a convenience sample.
- 106 women completed the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) via telephone 8 weeks after discharge.
- Reliability coefficients and correlations between PDSS forms were calculated.
Main Results:
- Twenty-seven percent of women screened indicated moderate-to-severe PPD symptoms.
- High reliability was found for both short-form (α=.72) and long-form (α=.94) PDSS totals.
- Telephone screening yielded similar mean scores compared to in-person assessments.
Conclusions:
- Telephone screening is a reliable method for detecting postpartum depression symptomatology.
- This approach allows for later assessment than standard office visits.
- Screening is recommended for at-risk women, including those with a history of depression or anxiety.
