Partner report of paternal depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-Partner

Similar to maternal depression, paternal depression may have adverse effects on the family environment (e.g., partner mental
health, child behavior). Detection of paternal depression is rare because the maternal–child health care system usually only
screens for maternal depression. The scarcity of paternal depression screening and detection is due to fathers not usually
being involved in the maternal–child health care system and, therefore, unavailable for depression screening. The purpose
of this study was to assess the psychometric characteristics of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-Partner Version (EPDS-P)
in detecting paternal depression through maternal report. The EPDS-P, rated by the mother, was found to be a reliable and
valid measure of paternal depression when compared to other well-validated measures of depression. The EPDS-P has clinical
utility in the maternal–child health care system by making it possible to screen for paternal depression without the father
being present. Proxy screening for paternal depression can be beneficial for early detection and treatment of paternal depression
both in the perinatal period and through a child’s early life. Detection and treatment of paternal depression reduces the
risk of long-term depression in fathers.