Assessing postpartum depression: Evidences for the need of multiple methods

Introduction Different methods and instruments are frequently used to measure postpartum depression (PPD) in research, e.g. PPD-specific scales, DSM-based diagnostic interviews and rating scales assessing general depression. However, it is unsure whether these measures would lead to the same results, e.g. in the identification of “depressed” women or in their relations to third variables. Objective(s) We compared different measures of PPD and their relations with a third variable, namely the mothers’ marital satisfaction. Method We recruited 65 mothers to take part in a study about the impact of PPD on the development of early family relations. Maternal PPD was assessed with multiple methods (i) a PPD-specific scale, (ii) a DSM-based diagnostic interviews and (iii) a rating scale designed to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. We assessed mothers’ marital satisfaction with the Marital Adjustment Test (MAT). Results Results showed weak overlap between PPD-specific scale and DSM-based diagnosis of PPD, and modest correlations between the PPD-specific scale and the general depression rating scale. Only the score on the PPD-specific scale could predict marital satisfaction. Conclusion As we found discrepancies between different measures of PPD, we suggest being cautious in the choice of measures and using multiple methods to measure PPD in a comprehensive way

Fathers' Place and Role in Family Relationships

In this chapter, the question of the place and role of the father in the family will be treated in a systemic perspective. The father’s place depends on several factors like the father’s desire to be involved, the quality of co-parenting relationship, the quality of marital relationship, a possible maternal gatekeeping, social support like paternal leave, the family composition, and so on. Keeping in mind the best interest of children, researches will be presented and will serve as a base for discussion