Stephanie Wilkie1, Ros Crawley1, Susan Button2, Alexandra Thornton3, Susan Ayers3. 1. a School of Psychology, University of Sunderland , Sunderland , UK. 2. b Department of Adult Nursing and Paramedic Science , University of Greenwich , London , UK. 3. c Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, School of Health Sciences, City University London , London , UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed at establishing the reliability and validity of the primary health questionnaire (PHQ-15) somatic symptom severity subscale for postpartum women. METHODS:Women (N = 495) completed the PHQ-15 approximately 6 weeks postpartum during the baseline phase of a randomized controlled trial evaluating a writing intervention for postnatal health in England. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency statistics and convergent validity by comparing differences in self-reported physical health, health-related quality of life (QoL) and primary care usage by PHQ-15 symptom severity category. RESULTS: Cronbach's α for the PHQ-15 was 0.73 and item-total statistics met recommended guidelines. Validity analyzes showed 6% of women reported severe symptoms, 17% medium, 50% low and 27% minimal symptoms. Women with severe symptoms reported poorer overall physical health, poorer physical health-related QoL and greater use of primary care. Women with severe symptoms also rated their baby's health as worse and used primary care more for their baby. DISCUSSION: This study suggests the PHQ-15 has the potential to be a useful and valid measure of physical symptoms in postpartum women in high-income countries.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed at establishing the reliability and validity of the primary health questionnaire (PHQ-15) somatic symptom severity subscale for postpartum women. METHODS:Women (N = 495) completed the PHQ-15 approximately 6 weeks postpartum during the baseline phase of a randomized controlled trial evaluating a writing intervention for postnatal health in England. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency statistics and convergent validity by comparing differences in self-reported physical health, health-related quality of life (QoL) and primary care usage by PHQ-15 symptom severity category. RESULTS: Cronbach's α for the PHQ-15 was 0.73 and item-total statistics met recommended guidelines. Validity analyzes showed 6% of women reported severe symptoms, 17% medium, 50% low and 27% minimal symptoms. Women with severe symptoms reported poorer overall physical health, poorer physical health-related QoL and greater use of primary care. Women with severe symptoms also rated their baby's health as worse and used primary care more for their baby. DISCUSSION: This study suggests the PHQ-15 has the potential to be a useful and valid measure of physical symptoms in postpartum women in high-income countries.
Authors: Susan Ayers; Rosalind Crawley; Susan Button; Alexandra Thornton; Andy P Field; Chris Flood; Suzanne Lee; Andrew Eagle; Robert Bradley; Donna Moore; Gill Gyte; Helen Smith Journal: J Behav Med Date: 2018-10-05