Psychometric testing and the predictive validity of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R): A longitudinal study with Turkish women

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the prenatal and postnatal versions of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R) and to examine the predictive validity of PDPI-R in Turkish women, considering two gold standards to determine postpartum depression (PPD).

Methods

This prospective longitudinal study was conducted between August 2021 and September 2023. A total of 301 pregnant women participated in the study. Participants completed the PDPI-R during the third trimester of pregnancy (T1) and at 4 weeks postpartum (T2). At T2, participants also completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and women were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders.

Results

The prenatal version of the PDPI-R predicted PPD with 64% (R:0.64) accuracy on the basis of the EPDS and 78% accuracy (R:0.78) according to DSM IV criteria. The postnatal version of the PDPI-R predicted PPD with 71% (R:0.71) accuracy on the basis of the EPDS and 81% accuracy (R:0.781) based on DSM IV criteria. The cut-off points exhibited the highest sensitivity and specificity values at 8.5 for the prenatal version and 10.5 for the postnatal version.

Conclusions

The PDPI-R is a valid and reliable screening tool for identifying Turkish women at high risk of developing PPD and for estimating the psychosocial risk associated with PPD.