Psychometric testing of the perimenopausal depression scale-Turkish version

Perimenopausal hormonal fluctuations cause vasomotor, somatic, metabolic, cognitive, and menstrual cycle changes that may lead to depression. This study adapted and translated the Perimenopausal Depression Scale from English into Turkish and verified the validity and reliability of its psychometric properties in perimenopausal women not receiving hormone replacement therapy. This study was conducted between September and November 2020, and included 169 women aged between 40 and 53 years with perimenopausal symptoms, who visited a state menopausal polyclinic. The Perimenopausal Depression Scale-Turkish Version, Kupperman Index, Menopause Rating Scale, and demographic questionnaire were administered to the patients. Confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and correlation coefficient were calculated. The overall scale and all five subscales of the Perimenopausal Depression Scale-Turkish Version had acceptable internal consistency scores, good construct and criterion validity, and a high intraclass correlation. Therefore, this translated scale and its subscales are suitable for Turkish women. Further verification is recommended for women receiving hormone replacement therapy. Mental health nurses and midwives could use the Perimenopausal Depression Scale-Turkish Version to distinguish depressive symptoms from perimenopausal depression in women visiting outpatient clinics or menopause polyclinics, or in the community mental health context.