Translation, validation and factor structure of the Tamil version of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ-T)

Background: The Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire was developed in English for the purpose of screening for bonding disorders among postpartum mothers. There was a felt need for a Tamil translation of the self-rated instrument.

Methods: The Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire was translated into Tamil (PBQ-T). Two hundred and fifty mother-infant dyads were administered the PBQ-T along with the Stafford Interview. The Stafford Interview was studied by two independent psychiatrists to arrive at a diagnosis of bonding disorders in the mothers. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Bangalore Maternal Behaviour Scale (BMBS) were used for rating depressive symptoms and caregiver reported behaviour of the mother towards the infant. We also did a factor analysis to find the factor structure of the PBQ-T.

Results: A 19-item PBQ-T that has five factors grouped into three subscales. The five factors are General Bonding (F1A), Frustration (F1B), Anxiety (F2), Feeling trapped (F3A) and Aggression/ Rejection dimensions (F3B) loading onto three subscales 1, 2 and 3. Total PBQ-T scores were best used to detect 'any disorder of bonding' (cut-off 5/6). Subscale 1 (cut-off 2/3) was useful in detection of mild disorders of bonding, subscale 2 (cut-off 2/3) for infant-focused anxiety and subscale 3 (cut-off 0/1) for Anger/ Rejection. Mothers with bonding disorders had greater psychological distress. Caregiver report of mother's behaviour (BMBS) could detect anxiety and anger/ rejection but not the lack of emotional bond.

Conclusion: A 19-item Tamil version of the PBQ is useful in screening for disorders of mother-infant bonding among healthy postpartum mothers.