Aims, measures, study sites and participant samples of the Transcultural Study of Postnatal Depression

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough postnatal depression is a common condition, with adverse effects on the child, mother and partner, there has been no research to date linking analyses of its origins and consequences with studies of service provision in different national health and social systems.AimsThe Transcultural Study of Postnatal Depression (TCS–ND)was setup to develop a set of instruments to facilitate such research.MethodSeven research instruments were piloted in studies carried out in ten centres in eight countries. A qualitative study looked at the cross-cultural equivalence of the concept of postnatal depression.ResultsThe results are reported in the individual papers in this supplement.ConclusionsReliable and culturally valid measures are now available for future comparative research into postnatal depression within different health systems and countries.