Ramchandani, P., Stein, A., Evans, J., & O Connor, T.G. (2005). Paternal Depression In

CRITIQUE 1

Ramchandani, P., Stein, A., Evans, J., & O’Connor, T.G. (2005). Paternal depression in the postnatal period and child development: a prospective population study. The Lancet, 365(9478), 2201-2210.

This quantitative research article sought to close the gap in knowledge in how paternal postpartum depression can affect children in their development. The abstract of the article included background information regarding postpartum depression, as well as an overview of the methods, findings and interpretation included in the study. The abstract was clear, coherent and adequate as Polit et. al (2001) state an adequate abstract should include the research aim, methods used, findings and implications for nursing practice.

In the literature review section, the researchers were clear to point out that a lack of knowledge and research is apparent in the area of paternal postpartum depression. A gap in knowledge is also addressed, as the effects of paternal postpartum depression in early childhood have not been explored. They outline the concern regarding the gap and lack of knowledge to emphasise the importance of their study and further research into the issue. Readers are able to gain a background for understanding the current issue and understand the importance of the study (Polit et. al, 2001).

The design was a large population based study, which allowed the researchers to gain the most accurate findings and reduced bias. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) was used as the assessment tool, Ramchandani et. al (2005, pp. 2202) state “The EPDS is a well validated, widely-used, self-report questionnaire… and has been validated in men.”. This was an appropriate assessment tool, as the scale is widely-used screening tool and validated in paternal depression. Ethical procedures were appropriately followed as the study had approval and consent was given by all participants.

The data analysis included re-assessment of both mothers and fathers and analysis of the findings to examine the associations between parental postpartum depression and developmental problems in their children. The data analysis allowed for a greater examination of the effects parental postpartum depression can have on child development, and allowed for the testing of the study’s aim. The further assessment on parents 21 months later allowed for control in the data analysis, as any problems noted in the immediate postpartum period were specific to that period or if they carried in later months.

Findings were discussed in a systematic manner, and included everything that was studied: the EPDS results, paternal depression and child problems scores, and the association between paternal depression and problems in male children in particular. The discussion included a discussion of the study’s findings and the need for further research, especially finding a firm association between paternal depression and greater problem scores in male children. The authors were able to highlight their study’s strengths and limitations, resulting in an unbiased research article as the authors are able to discuss the weaknesses and limitations of their study and highlight the need for more research into the area.

CRITIQUE 2

Quigley, J., Myer, M., & Howland, K. (2006). Evaluating the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale: a case study from Kingston maternal and child health service in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Australian Nursing Journal, 13(8), 23-30.

This qualitative research article sought to assess the use of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale and how effectively it is being used by nurses in one particular Australian hospital. The article lacked an abstract, which is a weakness of the article, as an abstract is needed as an outline of the study, outlining the methods, findings and interpretation included in the study (Polit et. al, 2001). An introduction was included in the article, which introduces the scale being assessed, and outlines its importance in nursing practice.

A literature review was not included in the research article, however, the authors outlined the scale’s effectiveness, sensitivity and specificity; and included prior criticism of the scale. This gives readers an understanding to why the study aimed to assess the scale. A literature review is important in research articles as it gives background understanding on the current issue and understanding to the importance of the study (Polit et. al, 2001).

The study was a quality improvement project, used to examine the usefulness of the scale as a screening tool for postpartum depression (Quigley et. al, 2006). Questionnaires were used to assess the nurses’ own attitudes towards the user-friendliness of the scale, as well as when they were using the scale. The nurses were surveyed again 1 year later to determine if their feelings and attitudes towards the scale had changed. This eliminates bias and allows for comprehensive findings to be made. There was no mention of ethical procedures being followed, such as informed consent, which is a weakness of the study as gaining informed consent from participants, researchers are aware that all participants have adequate information regarding the research (Polit et. al, 2001). Recruitment was in the form of approaching nurses to participate in the study.

The data analysis section outlines the low sample size and therefore the need for further research into the area. The low sample size also decreased the study’s validity, as only nurses at one particular hospital were assessed. Other health professionals involved in the screening of postnatal depression should have been included, such as psychologists and doctors. The authors outlined the findings of the research and reported that all nurses who participated reported using the scale in their practice.

The study’s findings were not systematically outlined well, and the discussion of the findings was hard to follow. This is another weakness of the study, as an appropriate discussion of the findings gives a clear, unambiguous presentation of the study’s findings and allows for a discussion of the findings (Polit et. al, 2001). However, recommendations were made in the findings section, outlining certain acknowledgment of the study’s limitations and need for further research into the area.

The article’s conclusion reports that referral pathways have been established for use of the scale as a result of the study. Bias results as the authors do not acknowledge any indications for further research or more comprehensive assessment of the scale. Limitations of the study were not discussed, resulting in further bias as the authors have not acknowledged any limitations they study may have. By discussing any limitations, the authors could have demonstrated to readers their awareness of these limitations and that the limitations were taken into account when the findings were interpreted (Polit et. al, 2001).

REFERENCES

Polit, D.F., Beck, C.T., & Hungler, B.P. (2001). Essentials of nursing research: methods, appraisal and utilization. (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott.

Ramchandani, P., Stein, A., Evans, J., & O’Connor, T.G. (2005). Paternal depression in the postnatal period and child development: a prospective population study. The Lancet, 365(9478), 2201-2210.