title: Postpartum depression in the NICU: an examination of the factor structure of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this research was to examine the construct validity of scores from the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale administered to mothers of infants in a neonatal intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two samples (n = 385 and n = 110) of mothers with infants in a neonatal intensive care unit in the south-central region of the United States completed the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale 2 weeks postpartum. Both samples were similar in race and education level but differed according to marital status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study 1 was retrospective and descriptive, whereas study 2 was prospective and descriptive.
  
  
  METHODS
  In study 1, confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the originally proposed 7-factor structure and a 1-factor model. Because of overly high correlations between 3 of the factors, a revised 5-factor model was also tested. In study 2, confirmatory factor analysis was again used to test the construct validity or goodness of fit of the 7-factor and 5-factor models.
  
  
  METHODS
  Goodness-of-fit indices and factor pattern coefficients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In study 1, high correlations between 3 of the factors in the 7-factor model did not converge. Thus, a 5-factor model was also tested. This model had reasonable fit: χ= 1339.70 (550); P < 0.01; comparative fit index = 0.85; root mean square error of approximation = 0.06; and 90% confidence interval for root mean square error of approximation = 0.058 to 0.067. In study 2, confirmatory factor analysis was again used to test the construct validity or goodness of fit of the 7-factor and 5-factor models. Results for the 7-factor model indicated unacceptable fit: χ (539) = 959.10; P < 0.01; comparative fit index = 0.76; and root mean square error of approximation = 0.09. The 5-factor model was also poor: χ (550) = 992.95; P < 0.01; comparative fit index = 0.75; and root mean square error of approximation = 0.09.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the construct validity of the 7-factor model of the PDSS was not supported for this sample of mothers, additional factor analytic work was used to develop and provide initial validation of a 5-factor model. Future research should continue to explore the unique experiences of mothers in the NICU who experience postpartum depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City (Drs Blucker, Cherry, McCaffree, and S. R. Gillaspy, and Mss Hetherington and Kyler); Department of Psychology and Counseling, University of Central Arkansas, Conway (Dr J. A. Gillaspy); and Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada (Dr Jackson).
authors.forename: Ryan T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Blucker
authors.forename: J Arthur
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gillaspy
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hetherington
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kyler
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cherry
authors.forename: Mary Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McCaffree
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gillaspy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States