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Validation and optimal cut-off score of the Multidimensional Paternal Perinatal Scale (MPPS)
Daisy Gemayel1, Karl K K Wiener2, Anthony J Saliba2
1School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia. info@mentalcareclinic.com.au.
Insights
The Multidimensional Paternal Perinatal Scale (MPPS) identifies fathers at risk for poor emotional well-being during pregnancy and after birth. This validated tool offers specific cut-off scores for assessing depression, anxiety, and stress in perinatal fathers.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal mental health
- Psychological assessment
- Men's health
Background:
- Perinatal mental health issues affect fathers, impacting family well-being.
- Existing tools may not comprehensively assess paternal emotional well-being.
- The Multidimensional Paternal Perinatal Scale (MPPS) was developed to address this gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the discriminant and concurrent validity of the MPPS.
- To determine optimal cut-off scores for identifying at-risk fathers.
- To confirm the MPPS's utility in antenatal and postnatal periods.
Main Methods:
- Assessed discriminant validity using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
- Evaluated concurrent validity via group differentiation (depressed, anxious, stressed fathers).
- Employed Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis to identify optimal cut-off scores.
Main Results:
- The MPPS demonstrated good discriminant and concurrent validity.
- Optimal cut-off scores were identified: ANT-MPPS (Depression: 23.5, Anxiety: 41.5, Stress: 38.5).
- Optimal cut-off scores for POST-MPPS: Depression: 64.5, Anxiety: 65.5, Stress: 65.5.
Conclusions:
- Both antenatal and postnatal versions of the MPPS effectively identify fathers at risk.
- The MPPS serves as a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers.
- Early identification enables timely intervention for paternal perinatal mental health.
Abstract:
The Multidimensional Paternal Perinatal Scale (MPPS) helps to identify perinatal fathers at risk of developing poor emotional well-being. The MPPS consists of two versions: the antenatal version and the postnatal version. The MPPS has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure in assessing the precursors for perinatal fathers' emotional well-being. This study assessed the discriminant validity, concurrent validity, sensitivity, and the optimal cut-off scores of the MPPS. The discriminant validity of the MPPS was evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale as a discriminant measure. The concurrent validity of the MPPS was established through the examination of the MPPS's predictive ability through group differentiation (i.e., depressed versus non-depressed fathers, anxious versus non-anxious fathers, and stressed versus non-stressed fathers). The optimal cut-off scores for each version of the MPPS were identified using Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis. Both versions of the MPPS can identify fathers at risk of poor emotional well-being during the antenatal and postnatal periods. The proposed cut-off score for the ANT-MPPS is 23.5 for depression, 41.5 for anxiety, and 38.5 for stress. As for the POST-MPPS, a cut-off score of 64.5 is recommended for depression and a 65.5 cut-off score for both anxiety and stress conditions. The MPPS provides health professionals, clinicians, and researchers with a comprehensive assessment tool for identifying both antenatal and postnatal fathers at risk of developing poor emotional well-being.
