Validation of the French Version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) Postnatally in the Father

Plain-language summary

In recent years, fatherhood has changed considerably. Fathers are now more involved during the perinatal period, with their partner but also in caring for the child. Investigators now know that this period is also a source of major psychological upheaval, identity crisis, apprehension and anxiety for men. These upheavals can lead to depression that must be detected and treated as early as possible. This is an easy screening to perform using the EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). Currently, the EPDS is the most widely used self-questionnaire to assess the risk of depression in women during the perinatal period. Indeed, it is systematically recommended in many countries. It is starting to be used for the same purpose in the perinatal period in men, although the scale has not been validated in a representative sample of men in the pre- or post-natal period. The main objective is to validate the use of the EPDS scale as a screening tool for postnatal depression in a population of French fathers. They complete the PH-Q9, EPDS and socio-demographic questionnaires online at inclusion and 6 to 8 weeks after the birth of their child. Fathers included at the maternity ward also too Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) at inclusion.

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