Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2023
Development of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-United States: An Updated Perinatal Mental Health Screening Tool Using a Respectful Care and Trauma-Informed Approach.
Purpose: To present the development protocol of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-United States (EPDS-US), an adapted version of the EPDS, that is inclusive and easy to understand for U. S. populations and incorporates a trauma-informed approach to perinatal mental health (PMH). Methods: Our team adapted the wording of the original EPDS to be more linguistically appropriate for current use with U. ⋯ The EPDS-US removes preidentified barriers patients experience related to PMH screenings. Conclusions: The EPDS-US, a trauma-informed and respectful care screening tool, may lead to earlier recognition of symptoms, may allow for more person-focused treatment plans, and may serve as a platform for a culture change in addressing PMH, particularly when the screening tool is accompanied by open conversation, education, and resources. Validation studies are required at this time and this team welcomes direct communication with research and clinical sites interested in doing so.
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Journal of women's health · Oct 2023
Psychosocial and Economic Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Veteran Men and Women.
Purpose: The psychosocial impacts of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on women Veterans' mental health compared to men are understudied, with few studies examining the differential impact of COVID-19 stressors on depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, little is known about whether social support may buffer against adverse pandemic-related outcomes for this population. In the present study, we examined (1) gender differences in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on numerous life domains, including economic, work, home, social, and health; (2) how pandemic impacts in these domains were associated with depression and PTSD symptoms; and (3) whether social support buffered against worse mental health outcomes. ⋯ Home and economic impacts were associated with increased depression for both men and women, social and health impacts were associated with depression for women, and work impacts were associated with depression for men. Higher social support was associated with decreased depressive symptoms for both men and women; however, social support moderated the relationship between pandemic impacts and both PTSD and depressive symptoms for women only. Conclusions: Findings highlight the value of social support in mitigating effects of pandemic-related stress, particularly for women Veterans.