Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemio 
DOI 10.1007/s00127-004-0770-4 
Validation of the Turkish version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale among women within their first postpartum year 
Nazan Aydin · Tacettin Inandi · Arzu Yigit · Nuriye Nalan Sahin Hodoglugil 
ABSTRACT
Background The aim of the study was to find out the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and to determine the optimum cut-off value for postnatal depression. 
Method Validation of the Turkish version of the EPDS was conducted on a sample of 341 women who were within their first postpartum year. Structured Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders was used as the gold standard test, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate test performance of the EPDS. 
Results The study of sensitivity, specificity and predictive values versus SCID-I indicated a cut-off score of 12.5 as the best (sensitivity: 75.5, specificity: 71.5). Positive predictive value was 30.3 % and negative predictive value was 94.5 %. Cron- bach’s alpha value was calculated as 0.72. 
Conclusions It was concluded that: (1) values for the validity were respectable, but not excellent; (2) the scale needs to be improved for use in the Turkish population; and (3) the high prevalence of postnatal depression found in this study may be a function of the low validity of the test. 
KEY WORDS: validation, postnatal depression, Turkish women, sensitivity, specificity