Assessing physical symptoms during the postpartum period: reliability and validity of the primary health questionnaire somatic symptom subscale (PHQ-15). (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilkie, Stephanie; Crawley, Ros; Button, Susan; Thornton, Alexandra; Ayers, Susan
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics & gynaecology. Volume 39:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Postpartum -- pregnancy -- physical health -- PHQ-15 -- symptoms; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Medicine, Psychosomatic -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; 616.08
• DOI: 10.1080/0167482X.2017.1289167
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-482X

Abstract

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.