An Assessment of Perinatal Distress and Marital Relationships in Couples: A Validation Study

Abstract

Aim of the Study: The study conducted to assess the validation of the Major Depressive Disorder Subscale (MDDS) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Subscale (GADS) in Parental Perinatal Distress Scale (PPDS) and to assess the validation of Scale of Marital Intimacy (SMI) and the Satisfaction with Sex Life Scale-Revised (SSLS-R).

Methodology: In study 1, Perinatal Depression Inventory (PDI) and Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) were translated from English into Urdu in phase I. In the phase II, Urdu versions of PDI and PASS were administered along with MDDS, GADS, and Urdu version of Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) on 50 perinatal high risk couples selected by purposive sampling technique from the hospital. In study 2, the English versions of Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMS), SSLS-R, and the Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS) were translated in Urdu in phase I. In phase II, translated versions of KMS, SSS, and the SSLS-R were administered along with SMI, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) Urdu and Sexual Satisfaction Subscale Urdu on 50 healthy couples selected by purposive sampling technique from the Gujrat community.

Findings: In study 1, the correlation coefficient for MDDS with PDI is positive and significant and with SHS is negative, insignificant and non-existent. The correlation coefficient for GADS with PASS is positive and significant and with SHS is insignificant and non-existent. In study 2, the relationship of SMI with KMS is positive and significant and with stress, anxiety, and depression is negative insignificant and non-existent. The convergent validity of SSLS-R with SS-Subscale is positive and significant. The divergent validity of SSLS-R with SSS, stress, anxiety, and depression is negative and insignificant.

Conclusion: MDDS and GADS are valid indigenous tools for screening perinatal depression and perinatal anxiety in couples. Moreover, SMI and SSLS-R have been found to hold good validity for assessment of intimate marital relationships in the couples.