Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a 10-item self-report questionnaire designed to screen for postpartum depression. It is widely used in clinical and research settings to identify mothers experiencing depressive symptoms after childbirth.
Length of Filling
Filling out the entire questionnaire will take approximately 5-10 minutes.
Survey Structure
The EPDS consists of 10 items that assess various symptoms of depression, such as sadness, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Respondents are asked to rate how they have felt in the past 7 days.
Scoring Method
- Each item is scored on a scale from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.
- Items 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are reverse-scored, meaning that a score of 3 indicates the least severe symptom and 0 indicates the most severe.
- The total score is calculated by summing the scores of all 10 items, with a maximum possible score of 30.
Reverse Items
- Items 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are reverse-scored. For example, for item 3 (“I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong”), a score of 3 means “No, never,” and a score of 0 means “Yes, most of the time.”
Subscales
- The EPDS does not have subscales; it is a single, unified measure designed to assess the overall level of depressive symptoms.
Response Scale
A Likert-type scale is used for answers in the EPDS method, where the respondent expresses their agreement on a four-point scale (0 = “Not at all,” 1 = “Rarely,” 2 = “Sometimes,” 3 = “Most of the time”).
Keywords
postpartum depression, screening, depression, anxiety, self-report, questionnaire
References
Cox, J. L., Holden, J. M., & Sagovsky, R. (1987). Detection of postnatal depression: Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150(6), 782-786. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.150.6.782
Wisner, K. L., Parry, B. L., & Piontek, C. M. (2002). Postpartum depression. New England Journal of Medicine, 347(3), 194-199. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa020389
Instructions for Administrators
When administering the EPDS, it is important to:
- Create a Safe Environment: Ensure the respondent feels safe and comfortable sharing potentially distressing experiences.
- Provide Support: Be prepared to offer emotional support or referrals to mental health services if the respondent becomes distressed.
- Confidentiality: Ensure that the respondent’s information is kept confidential and is only used for the intended assessment purposes.
By carefully following these guidelines, you can help respondents navigate the sensitive process of discussing and assessing their depressive symptoms.