Multidimensionality within the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale: application issues of specific structure

• Published in: Journal of reproductive and infant psychology pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: Ratislavová, Kateřina, Hendrych Lorenzová, Eva, Lochmannová, Alena, Martin, Colin R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 23-11-2023
• ISSN: 0264-6838; 1469-672X
• DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2023.2285837

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUNDThe 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a widely-used screening measure for postnatal depression. Factor analysis studies have suggested an embedded sub-scale could be used for screening for anxiety disorders. The current investigation sought to replicate and extend a recent study supporting this assertion.METHODSA cross-sectional design. EPDS data were collected at up to two years postpartum. Confirmatory factor analysis, correlational and distributional characteristics of the measure were examined. Participants were a large sample (N = 985) of postpartum women in the Czech Republic.RESULTSFactor structure findings substantially replicated the models evaluated by Della Vedova et al. (2022). Bifactor models, however, offered a better fit to data. A general factor of depression explained most of the variance in data in most models compared to embedded sub-scales across models.CONCLUSIONThe model proposed by Della Vedova et al. (2022) offered an excellent fit to data. However, the findings from the bifactor modelling suggest the dominance of a general factor of depression which indicates the potential application of an embedded anxiety sub-scale for screening may be overstated.