French validation of the POCS scale: A tool for screening intrusive thoughts, obsessions, and compulsions during pregnancy and postpartum.

Abstract

Objectives: This study addressed the growing recognition of mental health disorders during the perinatal period, in particular obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD symptoms can affect between 3% and 10% of women during the perinatal period, a higher prevalence than in the general population. The Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (POCS), developed in Canada, is to our knowledge the only validated tool for screening OCD in the perinatal context. This study aimed to validate the French version of the POCS in order to improve early detection of OCD symptoms among French-speaking mothers and fathers.

Methods: The study included 227 pregnant women in their third trimester and 113 in the early postpartum period. The POCS was translated into French using the forward and backward translation method, in collaboration with bilingual experts from France and Quebec. Other measures included validated tools: the Obsessional Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) for general OCD and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for depressive symptoms. Data were collected in person and online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability tests (Cronbach's alpha), and ROC curve analysis to assess the validity and discriminative capacity of the scale.

Results: The French version of the POCS showed strong internal consistency and psychometric properties similar to the English version. The POCS had good convergent validity, correlating with the OCI-R and showing a distinct link to depression symptoms via the EPDS. Exploratory analysis demonstrated that a high proportion of that perinatal sample reported OCD symptoms.

Conclusions: The French version of the POCS is reliable and valid for screening OCD symptoms in women during the perinatal period. The study highlights the need for screening tools specific to this population The POCS is a valuable clinical tool for early identification and intervention regarding perinatal OCD symptoms. Its systematic use in maternal health services could enhance mental health support for mothers during pregnancy and postpartum.