Validity of stress scale for predicting depression in pregnant adolescents, Thailand

Purpose: The objective of this research was to investigate whether the Stress Scale can predict depression after delivery in adolescent pregnancy. Methods: this cross-sectional research design was conducted during the third trimester of pregnancy and the samples being randomly selected from five regions of Thailand (n = 200). Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire at the baseline with the Stress Scale for depression in third trimester and at the 4^th week after childbirth. ROC Curve and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: this study revealed that the prevalence rate of depression in adolescent mothers was 16.5% (33 out of 200), and the Stress Scale had cut point score at ≥ 5.5 with sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 79%, and the area under curve was.84 (p < 0.001). The Stress Scale gained scores for cut point at ≥ 5.5; only 5 items showed capability to predict depression after delivery. Conclusion: This Stress Scale shows potential advantage for health personnel in early detection of depression in adolescent mothers at cut point scores of only 5.5 from 15.