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Salud mental
Print version ISSN 0185-3325
Abstract
LUNA, David et al. Psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in Mexican pregnant women. Salud Ment [online]. 2020, vol.43, n.3, pp.137-146. Epub Aug 28, 2020. ISSN 0185-3325. https://doi.org/10.17711/sm.0185-3325.2020.019.
Introduction
Anxiety and depression in pregnant women are a public health problem. Their adequate detection requires valid and reliable instruments that are also useful for prevention and treatment.
Objective
To identify the psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in a sample of Mexican pregnant women.
Method
The HADS was applied to 716 pregnant women between 13 and 46 years old (M = 26.55; SD = 6.56) attended in a public hospital in Mexico City.
Results
With a sample of 358 participants, a parallel analysis indicated a bifactorial structure for HADS, identified by exploratory factor analysis (Factor 1: anxiety, Factor 2: depression). The factors explained 53% of the variance and correlated positively (r = .36). The global internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .81; ordinal α = .93) and by factor (anxiety: Cronbach’s α = .79; ordinal α = .88; depression: Cronbach’s α = .79; ordinal α = .87) was acceptable. With data from the remaining 358 participants, a confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable fit for the structure detected (χ2/gl = 2.72; RMSEA = .06 [IC .05, .08]; GFI = .93; AGFI = .90; TLI = .90; CFI = .92).
Discussion and conclusions
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale has adequate psychometric properties to be used in pregnant Mexican women. Its use in routine pregnancy controls would be useful to prevent, detect, and timely treat these conditions.
Keywords : Prenatal anxiety; prenatal depression; pregnant women; validation; internal consistency; Mexico.