Brief Description
The Modified Perinatal Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire (PPQ-II) is a tool designed to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms related to the perinatal period, specifically around childbirth. It is a modified version of the original Perinatal PTSD Questionnaire (PPQ), adapted to better capture trauma-related symptoms experienced by women during and after childbirth. The PPQ-II includes 14 questions focused on intrusive symptoms (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares related to the birth experience), avoidance symptoms (e.g., avoiding reminders of the birth), and hyperarousal symptoms (e.g., feeling easily startled, difficulty sleeping). The PPQ-II assesses severity and frequency of these PTSD symptoms over a specific period, often 4-6 weeks postpartum. It helps identify those who may be experiencing perinatal PTSD, enabling appropriate intervention or support. The modified version improves upon earlier tools by ensuring a more sensitive and relevant measurement for perinatal trauma, allowing for better diagnosis and treatment planning.
Assessment Administration Type
Self-Report
Number of questions
14
Age Range for Administration
Primarily designed for adults who have experienced perinatal loss. Research does not specify a strict age range, but it is generally used with individuals age 18 and older.
Recommended Frequency of Administration
Initial screening at 4-6 weeks postpartum with follow-up administration at 6 months and 12 months postpartum, or as clinically indicated.
Summary of Scoring and Interpretations
The questionnaire includes 14 items that assess the core PTSD symptoms: intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, and hyperarousal symptoms. Respondents rate each item based on how often they experienced a particular symptom during a defined period. The rating scale ranges from 0 (“Not at all”) to 4 (“Often, for more than a month”). The total score is calculated by summing the responses for all items with scores ranging from 0 to 56. Based on research by Callahan and colleagues (2006), Blueprint utilizes a cut-off score of 19 to identify presence of clinically significant symptoms of PTSD.
Blueprint Adjustments
Blueprint uses the prompt “During the past weeks…” although clinicians are encouraged to specify the defined period as needed.
Clinical Considerations
Estimated completion time: 4-8 minutes
While typically administered around 4–6 weeks postpartum, the PPQ-II can be used later if PTSD symptoms are suspected.
Ideally, administer in a setting where the respondent feels safe and private, and have a plan for immediate emotional support or referral if needed.
PTSD symptoms often overlap with postpartum depression and anxiety, so careful differential diagnosis is critical.
In some samples, higher cut-off scores were identified (e.g., Italian sample with a cut-off score of 25). For the PPQ-II, cut-off scores serve as a screening threshold, and should prompt a more detailed clinical evaluation.
Citation
Relevant Articles + Further Resources
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