Translation, Validation and Cultural Aspects of Postpartum Depression Screening Scale in Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of a Portuguese version of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS). A total of 120 new mothers completed the translated version of PDSS and later were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, our gold standard for clinical status. The best cut-off score for the Portuguese version was 102, with a sensibility of 94%, a specificity of 95%, a positive predictive value of 75% and a negative predictive value of 99%. Reliability, measured by the alpha coefficient of internal consistency, was .95. The PDSS is considered ready for use in the screening of Brazilian new mothers for postpartum depression.