The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science, 150(6), 782-786, 1987
Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Author affiliations
- University of Edinburgh ROR
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.
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Cite this article
Cox, J. L., Holden, J. M., & Sagovsky, R. (1987). Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. *The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science*, *150*(6), 782-786. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.150.6.782
Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry. 1987;150(6):782-786. doi:10.1192/bjp.150.6.782
Cox, J. L., et al. "Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale." *The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science*, vol. 150, no. 6, 1987, pp. 782-786.
Keywords
Adult, Depressive Disorder/diagnosis, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Puerperal Disorders/diagnosis