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The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale-Spanish Version: Examining the Psychometric Properties and Prevalence of Risk for Postpartum Depression

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Abstract

The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) has been recently used to assess postpartum depression (PPD) in ethnic minority women, including Spanish-speaking Latinas from predominantly Mexico and Puerto Rico. Given the heterogeneity in the countries of origin for Spanish-speaking immigrants to the U.S., this study examined the psychometric properties and prevalence of PPD risk of the Spanish version of the PDSS in a sample of Latina immigrant mothers from predominantly El Salvador and other Central American countries. One hundred and 55 Latina immigrants (El Salvador: n = 91, Other Central America: n = 40, Mexico: n = 24) at high risk for PPD, who were part of a preventive intervention trial, participated in this study at 6–8 weeks postpartum. Results indicate that the PDSS had excellent internal consistency. The seven dimensions of the PDSS had good to excellent internal consistencies, with lower alphas for the Anxiety/Insecurity subscale. Approximately two-thirds (63.9%) of the women scored above the clinical cut-off score (≥60) for combined major/minor PPD on the PDSS-Spanish version. Additional research is needed to further validate the PDSS-Spanish version in clinical research and community settings.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grant R40 MC 02497 from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, George Washington University, 2125 G St., NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA

    Huynh-Nhu Le

  2. Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA

    Deborah F. Perry

  3. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute, Inc, Alexandria, VA, USA

    Glorimar Ortiz

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  1. Huynh-Nhu Le
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  2. Deborah F. Perry
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  3. Glorimar Ortiz
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Correspondence to Huynh-Nhu Le.

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Le, HN., Perry, D.F. & Ortiz, G. The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale-Spanish Version: Examining the Psychometric Properties and Prevalence of Risk for Postpartum Depression. J Immigrant Minority Health 12, 249–258 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-009-9260-9

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