The Pregnancy Related Beliefs Questionnaire (PRBQ) : an examination of the psychometric properties in perinatal samples

Background Identifying vulnerability to perinatal depression is an important public health issue. Risk factors include general and maternal-specific dysfunctional attitudes. Scales of maternal attitudes have a number of shortcomings. Further, it is not known whether antenatal maternal attitudes predict post-natal depression, independently of general dysfunctional attitudes (GDA). The aim of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Pregnancy Related Beliefs Questionnaire (PRBQ) and to establish, prospectively, the utility of the revised PRBQ in predicting the symptoms of post-natal depression. Method In Study 1, a cross-sectional sample of 344 participants, who were either pregnant or in the post-natal period, completed a battery of questionnaires assessing background factors, GDA, attitudes specific to motherhood (PRBQ), and depression. In Study 2, a sample of 210 women completed a battery of questionnaires, including a measure of GDA, the PRBQ-8, and depression, on two occasions: early in the second trimester of pregnancy and post-natally. Results Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a one-factor, eight-item measure of maladaptive attitudes specific to motherhood (PRBQ-8). The PRBQ-8 was found to have good convergent, concurrent, and predictive validity and high internal and test–retest reliability. A hierarchical regression analysis revealed that antenatal PRBQ-8 scores predict the severity of post-natal depression symptoms, after controlling for background factors, antenatal depression, and GDA. Conclusions The PRBQ-8 is a psychometrically sound measure of maternal attitudes that can be used antenatally to identify women at risk of post-natal depression. Key Practitioner Message The PRBQ-8 is a valid and reliable measure of maladaptive maternal attitudes. The PRBQ-8 can help perinatal practitioners identify women who hold unhelpful beliefs regarding the maternal role. Assessing maladaptive maternal attitudes during pregnancy can help identify women who may be at risk of developing postnatal depression.