Psychometric properties of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale in a large-scale community-based perinatal sample...

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression scale (EPDS) in a large-scale community-based perinatal sample in the Philippines.

This study involved a total of 1025 pregnant women (n = 356), postpartum women (n = 500), and women who experienced stillbirth or neonatal death (n = 169), on or after 30 January 2020. The respondents were recruited through non-probability sampling and asked to complete the EPDS online or in person between November 2023 and May 2024. Respondents completed either the English or Tagalog versions of the EPDS, with the flexibility to switch languages. The construct validity, internal consistency, and concurrent validity of the EPDS were assessed using factor analyses, Cronbach's alpha, and correlation analyses with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait (STAI-T) as references.

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a three-factor model comprising subscales for depressed mood, psychological distress, and anhedonia. Measurement invariance testing indicated that the model remained stable across different participant types, age groups, and survey languages. The overall scale and the three subscales showed Cronbach's alpha of 0.865, 0.846, 0.824, and 0.625, respectively. Reliability remained consistent across subgroups. Additionally, the overall scale and the depressed mood and psychological distress subscales showed moderate correlations with both the STAI-S and STAI-T scales.

The EPDS demonstrated generally acceptable psychometric properties, making it appropriate for use among Filipino women. The strong internal consistency and validity of the overall scale and the depressed mood and psychological distress subscale underscore its value as a screening tool for identifying specific depressive symptoms. The anhedonia subscale demonstrated poor reliability, warranting cautious interpretation and further investigation of this construct within the Filipino context.