Validity and reliability of the perinatal anxiety screening scale in a brazilian sample of pregnant women. (13th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barros, M.; Aguiar, M.; Macedo, A.; Pereira, A.T.
• Is Part Of: European psychiatry. Volume 64:Supplement 1(2021)
• Page Start: S606
• Page End: S606
• Publication Date: 2021-04-13
• Subjects: Perinatal Anxiety -- validation -- pregnancy -- Reliability; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.1617
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-9338

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: The Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale was translated and validated for European Portuguese (PASS-29; Pereira et al. 2019), from the original PASS (composed of 31 items; Somerville et al. 2014) to allow epidemiological and correlational research and early detection, which is an health policy imperative. This need also applies to Brazil, where a specific instrument to measure perinatal anxiety is not available. Objectives: To study the psychometric properties of the PASS Brazilian version factor structure using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency and pattern of correlations with mood states. Methods: 350 women (Mean age: 30.01±5.452) in the second trimester of pregnancy (Mean weeks =25.17±±6.55) completed the PASS and the Brazilian version of Profile of Mood States (POMS-25; Barros et al. 2021). SPSS and AMOS software were used. Results: After deleting two items (1 and 2) and some errors correlated, CFA indicated a good fit for the second-order model (X 2 /df=2.987; CFI=.903; TLI=.889; GFI=.797, RMSEA=.075; p[rmsea≤0.01]<0.001). The Cronbach alpha was α=.937, and for the four dimensions (general anxiety and specific fear, perfectionism and control, social anxiety and adjustment disorder, acute anxiety and trauma.), were all α>.800. PASS total and dimensional scores significantly (p<.01) and moderately correlated with Profile of Mood States dimensions: negative affect (.471), Depression (.294), Anxiety (.548), Fatigue (.438) and Vigour (-.288). Conclusions: Similarly, to what has been found for Portuguese version, the Brazilian PASS resulted in a 29-items-and-four-factors version, with good construct and convergent validity and reliability. In the near future we will determine the PASS cut-offs to screen for anxiety disorders in pregnancy and postpartum.