the evaluation of a screening tool for tocophobia

Introduction and aims: Diagnosis of tocophobia using existing instruments is an area of active investigation. Although a range of Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) cut-off scores has been suggested for detecting tocophobia, there is no consensus among researchers about an optimal cut-off score. The primary goal of the present study was to identify a cut-off value while referring to the DSM-5 Specific Phobia criteria as a gold standard, and to accordingly evaluate how the fearful component of the childbirth experience and psychopathology in the post-natal period are affected by tocophobia.Methods: We conducted an observational, longitudinal study on nulliparous women (n = 106). Routine pregnancy data and data from psychometric questionnaires investigating depression, anxiety, and fear of childbirth were collected. A psychiatric Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) was also conducted. The same parameters were re-evaluated one month after parturition.Results: A W-DEQ score of 85 was found to be the optimal cut-off score for detecting tocophobia, with sound sensitivity (100%) and specificity (93.8%). We found substantial agreement between the W-DEQ A and SCID-5 Specific Phobia Criteria (Cohen's Kappa coefficient, x = 0.720).Conclusions: A W-DEQ cut-off value of 85 is a reliable tool for detecting clinically relevant fear of childbirth according to the DSM-5 diagnosis of Specific Phobia. Therefore, accurate psychopathological investigation must be administered to women with W-DEQ scores greater than this cut-off score.

Tocophobia in the DSM-5 era: Outcomes of a new cut-off analysis of the Wijma delivery expectancy/experience questionnaire based on clinical presentation / Calderani E, Giardinelli L, Scannerini S, Arcabasso S, Compagno E, Petraglia F, Ricca V. - In: JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH. - ISSN 0022-3999. - ELETTRONICO. - 116:(2019), pp. 37-43. [10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.11.012]

Tocophobia in the DSM-5 era: Outcomes of a new cut-off analysis of the Wijma delivery expectancy/experience questionnaire based on clinical presentation

Calderani E;SCANNERINI, SILVIA;ARCABASSO, SUSANNA;Compagno E;Petraglia F;Ricca V
2019

Abstract

Introduction and aims: Diagnosis of tocophobia using existing instruments is an area of active investigation. Although a range of Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) cut-off scores has been suggested for detecting tocophobia, there is no consensus among researchers about an optimal cut-off score. The primary goal of the present study was to identify a cut-off value while referring to the DSM-5 Specific Phobia criteria as a gold standard, and to accordingly evaluate how the fearful component of the childbirth experience and psychopathology in the post-natal period are affected by tocophobia.Methods: We conducted an observational, longitudinal study on nulliparous women (n = 106). Routine pregnancy data and data from psychometric questionnaires investigating depression, anxiety, and fear of childbirth were collected. A psychiatric Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) was also conducted. The same parameters were re-evaluated one month after parturition.Results: A W-DEQ score of 85 was found to be the optimal cut-off score for detecting tocophobia, with sound sensitivity (100%) and specificity (93.8%). We found substantial agreement between the W-DEQ A and SCID-5 Specific Phobia Criteria (Cohen's Kappa coefficient, x = 0.720).Conclusions: A W-DEQ cut-off value of 85 is a reliable tool for detecting clinically relevant fear of childbirth according to the DSM-5 diagnosis of Specific Phobia. Therefore, accurate psychopathological investigation must be administered to women with W-DEQ scores greater than this cut-off score.
2019
116
37
43
the evaluation of a screening tool for tocophobia
Calderani E, Giardinelli L, Scannerini S, Arcabasso S, Compagno E, Petraglia F, Ricca V
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Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/1143599
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