Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
A 10-item self-report screen for perinatal depression covering the past 7 days. Several items are reverse-scored; the per-item response options below already reflect the correct scoring. Any positive response to item 10 (self-harm) requires immediate clinical attention regardless of the total. Administer under clinician oversight.
This is a clinical instrument. It is not publicly self-administered — a clinician assigns it through a secure patient link.
At a glance
What it measures
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (Cox, Holden, & Sagovsky, 1987) is a 10-item screen for perinatal depression covering the past seven days. Several items are reverse-scored; the response options presented on this platform already reflect the correct scoring direction.
Per the source, a total of 10 or more indicates possible depression and 13 or more probable depression, and item 10 (thoughts of self-harm) is always reviewed individually regardless of the total. The Royal College of Psychiatrists permits free reproduction with citation.
Psychometric properties
The notes below are reproduced from the platform's psychometrics register for this instrument — the same source-cited reliability, validity, and norms text that accompanies its downloadable report.
Acceptable internal consistency (alpha around 0.87) and split-half reliability (Cox, Holden & Sagovsky, 1987).
At cutoffs of 10-13, sensitivity ranges about 0.80-0.86 and specificity about 0.78-0.84 for perinatal depression (Cox et al., 1987; Gibson et al., 2009).
Validated in postnatal community samples; cutoffs of 10 (possible) and 13 (probable) depression are used, and item 10 screens for self-harm.
Example item
“I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things”
Illustrative only. During administration items are presented one screen-set at a time; response-key direction is never shown to respondents.
Scoring & interpretation
Item responses are summed to a total score and compared against published screening cutoffs.
| Band | Threshold | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Below cutoff | ≥ 0 | Total below 10 does not indicate likely depression on this screen. |
| Possible depression | ≥ 10 | Total of 10 or more indicates possible depression and warrants clinical follow-up. |
| Probable depression | ≥ 13 | Total of 13 or more indicates probable depression; clinical assessment is recommended. |
Source & citation
Cox, J. L., Holden, J. M., & Sagovsky, R. (1987). Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150(6), 782–786.
Scoring. A score of 10 or more indicates possible depression and 13 or more probable depression; item 10 (self-harm) is reviewed individually (Cox, Holden & Sagovsky, 1987).
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) © 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists. May be photocopied and used free of charge provided the source is cited.
References
- Cox, J. L., Holden, J. M., & Sagovsky, R. (1987). Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150(6), 782-786.
- Gibson, J., McKenzie-McHarg, K., Shakespeare, J., Price, J., & Gray, R. (2009). A systematic review of studies validating the EPDS in antepartum and postpartum women. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 119(5), 350-364.