Assessment of maternal fatigue and depression in the postpartum period: support for two separate constructs
Year: 2010
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The relationship between fatigue and depression in the postpartum period has been of interest to researchers and clinicians. However, conceptual and measurement issues of how to best assess and clearly distinguish between fatigue and depressive symptoms have plagued this work. The aim of the current study was to assess the discriminant validity between fatigue and depression in a community sample of 228 mothers within 1 year postpartum using two self‐report measures: the Fatigue Assessment Scale and the Depression subscale from the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) revealed that a two‐factor model presenting fatigue and depression as related but distinct constructs was a better fit of the data than a one‐factor model. Implications for further research and clinical practice are discussed, with particular focus on the need to differentiate fatigue and depression for postpartum mothers.
Institution: Parenting Research Centre
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2148455897