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The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): A Review of the Reported Validity Evidence

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Validity and Validation in Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Part of the book series: Social Indicators Research Series ((SINS,volume 54))

Abstract

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; Cox et al. Br J Psychiatr 150:782–786, 1987) is used internationally for the detection of postpartum depression in women. We reviewed the validity evidence of the EPDS and examined the extent to which the reported evidence is in line with the modern view of validity. Of the 57 articles included, 30 (52.6 %) included internal consistency, 29 (51 %) discussed predictive validity, 27 (47.4 %) reported on concurrent validity, 16 (28.1 %) studies addressed the internal structure of the EPDS, and 15 (26.3 %) included convergent validity. Fewer articles reviewed response processes (1.8 %), six (10.5 %) discussed content validity of the scale, five (8.8 %) addressed face validity of the EPDS, three studies (5.3 %) discussed discriminant validity, and two studies (3.5 %) included consequences. Certain sources of validity evidence such as response processes and consequences need to be accumulated to strengthen the score inferences of the EPDS.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    References marked with an asterisk indicate studies included in this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trinity Western University, 7600 Glover Road, Langley, BC, V2Y 1Y1, Canada

    Hillary L. McBride, Rachel M. Wiens & Marvin J. McDonald

  2. Counseling Psychology Program, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Daniel W. Cox

  3. Measurement, Evaluation, and Research Methodology (MERM) Program, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Eric K. H. Chan Ph.D.

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  2. Rachel M. Wiens
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  3. Marvin J. McDonald
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  4. Daniel W. Cox
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  5. Eric K. H. Chan Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hillary L. McBride .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Measurement, Evaluation, and Research Methodology (MERM) Program, Department of Educational and Counseling, Psychology, and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Bruno D. Zumbo

  2. Measurement, Evaluation, and Research Methodology (MERM) Program Department of Educational and Counseling, Psychology, and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Eric K.H. Chan

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© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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McBride, H.L., Wiens, R.M., McDonald, M.J., Cox, D.W., Chan, E.K.H. (2014). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): A Review of the Reported Validity Evidence. In: Zumbo, B., Chan, E. (eds) Validity and Validation in Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 54. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07794-9_9

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