The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): A Review of the Reported Validity Evidence

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; Cox et al. Br J Psychiatr 150:782–786, 1987) is used internationally for the detection of postpartum depression in women. We reviewed the validity evidence of the EPDS and examined the extent to which the reported evidence is in line with the modern view of validity. Of the 57 articles included, 30 (52.6 %) included internal consistency, 29 (51 %) discussed predictive validity, 27 (47.4 %) reported on concurrent validity, 16 (28.1 %) studies addressed the internal structure of the EPDS, and 15 (26.3 %) included convergent validity. Fewer articles reviewed response processes (1.8 %), six (10.5 %) discussed content validity of the scale, five (8.8 %) addressed face validity of the EPDS, three studies (5.3 %) discussed discriminant validity, and two studies (3.5 %) included consequences. Certain sources of validity evidence such as response processes and consequences need to be accumulated to strengthen the score inferences of the EPDS.