Profiles of women with postpartum depressive symptoms: A latent profile analysis using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale factors.

Objectives: To examine the multidimensionality of symptoms assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and to identify and characterize the profiles of women with Postpartum Depression (PPD) symptoms.

Methods: A sample of 487 Portuguese postpartum women with clinically relevant depressive symptoms participated in this cross-sectional online study. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to analyze the factor structure of the EPDS. A latent profile analysis based on the EPDS factors was conducted. Differences in sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors between profiles were explored.

Results: Three EPDS factors were confirmed: depression, anxiety, and anhedonia. Based on these dimensions, three profiles with different symptom severities were found: mild anxious-depressive symptoms; severe PPD symptoms; and moderate anxious-depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: Identifying profiles of women with PPD symptoms according to the EPDS factors allows to understand the distinct paths of development of PPD and can inform the development of tailored interventions.