Validation of the post-delivery perceived stress inventory

Abstract

This article presents the post-delivery perceived stress inventory (PDPSI) and its psychometric properties. This inventory is unique in that it links the measurement of perceived stress to events experienced during and after delivery. A total of 235 French-speaking, primiparous mothers completed the PDPSI two days after their delivery. To evaluate the predictive validity of the PDPSI on anxiety and depression, participants also completed the EPDS and the STAI two days and six weeks postpartum. The exploratory analysis revealed a 16-item structure divided into five factors: F1: relationship with the child; F2: delivery; F3: fatigue after delivery; F4: breastfeeding; and F5: relationship with the caregivers. The PDPSI demonstrated good internal consistency. Moreover, confirmatory factor analysis produced excellent indices, indicating that the complexity of the PDPSI was taken into account and its fit to the sample. The discriminant analysis showed that the PDPSI was not sensitive to specific changes in the sample making the inventory generalizable to other populations. Predictive validity showed that the scale significantly predicted depression and anxiety in the early postpartum period as well as anxiety six weeks postpartum. Overall, the PDPSI showed excellent psychometric qualities, making it a useful tool for future research-evaluating interventions related to perceived stress during the postpartum period.

HIV infection, hunger, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms are associated with exclusive breastfeeding to six months among women in western Kenya: a longitudinal observational study

“…We used the cut-off of a score of 17 or higher for probable depression [55,56]. Maternal stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (range: 0-40) [57].…”

Postpartum psycho-educational interviews to promote adaptation in new mothers: A preliminary study

“…[5] Stress can, however, have substantial repercussions for women's psychological health, such as their anxiety or risk of depression, particularly in the early postpartum period. [2,[21][22][23] It is therefore important to boost mothers' resources to deal with and decrease this stress. However, despite the fact that intervention in the early postnatal period has been documented as highly relevant, few studies have addressed this issue.…”

“…However, research has shown that mothers' stress during this postpartum period is not dependent on specific variables, and can be experienced by all mothers, regardless of, for example, birth method or age. [2] 4.2 Effect of the interview on staff satisfaction…”

“…The interview has a semi-directive structure and four stages: The first stage aims to establish the nature of women's stress and requires the mother to be confronted with potentially stressful events, as determined by the post-delivery perceived stress inventory (PDPSI stress scale). [2] Upon confrontation, mothers are assessed as to whether these events surpass their personal resources, thus triggering stress. If these events do trigger stress, then stage two of the interview is conducted.…”

“…[1] The early postpartum period is a profound experience for mothers and tends to be accompanied by a high level of stress. [2] During this period, each mother will have specific and multidimensional needs, [3] and to develop a sense of competency, they require help, guidance and support. [1] Yet the literature shows that most currently available postpartum care falls short of mothers' expectations and needs.…”