1. Self- screening using the Edinburgh post natal depression scale for mothers and fathers to initiate early help seeking behaviours
- Author
-
Karen-Leigh Edward, Judelle McFarland, John Stephenson, Jo-Ann Giandinoto, David J. Castle, and Cally Mills
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Postpartum depression ,Time Factors ,Referral ,Mothers ,Depression, Postpartum ,Fathers ,Social support ,Help-Seeking Behavior ,Sex Factors ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,Mass screening ,Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ,medicine.disease ,Mental health ,Help-seeking ,Distress ,Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ,Female ,Self Report ,Pshychiatric Mental Health ,Psychology ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
The forthcoming birth of a new baby and the life changes that occur can present parents with a range of challenges. While recognised in mothers, postnatal depression is not well researched in fathers; especially considering that up to 25% of men report experiencing depression in the ante and postnatal periods. The aim of this study was to test a self-screening tool and referral pathway pamphlet for expectant women and their partners. We used a single blinded randomised controlled study design. The sample, comprised 70 dyads, was randomised to either care as usual or to the self-screening tool and referral pathway pamphlet intervention. The self-screening tool included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Other questionnaires used to survey the dyads were the Kessler Psychological Distress (Kessler-10) and the Maternity Social Support Scale (MSSS). The gender differences in the EPDS, Kessler-10 and MSSS scales are represented by differences of 1.0 points on EPDS, 1.0 points on Kessler-10, fathers were reporting less psychological distress than mothers in all cases. No difference was observed in perceived social support. The attrition between time-points was mostly men. Cultural and socio-demographic factors may affect generalisability of the findings. The self-screening tool and referral pathway pamphlet provided to dyads may have some benefit in assisting couples in the perinatal period to detect and seek help for early symptoms of distress.
- Published
- 2019