PASS

Overview

The Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) is a specialized self-report questionnaire designed to assess anxiety symptoms in perinatal women. Developed by Somerville, Dedman, Hagan, Oxnam, and others in 2014, the PASS is widely utilized in both clinical and research settings to measure anxiety symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It is suitable for use with pregnant women and new mothers, providing a comprehensive assessment of anxiety specific to the perinatal period.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the PASS is to identify and measure the severity of anxiety symptoms in perinatal women. It helps healthcare providers recognize women who may require further assessment and intervention for anxiety disorders, thus improving maternal mental health and overall well-being during the perinatal period.

Structure

The PASS consists of 31 items that are rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (almost always). The items cover a wide range of anxiety symptoms and are grouped into the following four subscales:

• Excessive Worry and Specific Fears: Assesses worries and fears that are excessive and specific to pregnancy and the postpartum period.
• Perfectionism, Control, and Trauma: Measures perfectionistic tendencies, the need for control, and experiences of trauma.
• Social Anxiety: Evaluates anxiety related to social interactions and the perceived judgment of others.
• Acute Anxiety and Adjustment: Assesses acute anxiety symptoms and difficulties adjusting to changes during the perinatal period.

Applications

• Clinical Use: The PASS is used by mental health professionals to screen for anxiety symptoms in perinatal women, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning. It is particularly useful in identifying specific anxiety symptom domains that may guide targeted interventions.
• Research Use: Researchers use the PASS to study the prevalence and nature of anxiety symptoms in perinatal populations. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing anxiety during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Psychometric Properties

The PASS has demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including high internal consistency and good construct validity. Studies have shown that it reliably measures different dimensions of anxiety in perinatal women and correlates well with other established measures of anxiety. The PASS has shown excellent sensitivity and specificity in identifying anxiety disorders, making it a valuable tool for both clinical and research purposes. Cronbach's alpha for the total scale has been reported to be above 0.90, indicating excellent internal consistency. The subscales also exhibit high internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.70 to 0.90.

Translation and Adaptation

The PASS has been translated into multiple languages, ensuring its applicability in diverse cultural settings. This allows the tool to be used effectively across different populations while maintaining its reliability and validity.

Conclusion

The Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) is a valuable instrument for assessing anxiety symptoms in perinatal women. Its structured approach, strong psychometric properties, and applicability in various settings make it an essential tool for both clinical practice and research. By identifying specific patterns of anxiety, the PASS helps healthcare providers develop targeted interventions to improve the mental health and overall well-being of perinatal women.