CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
PBQ-15: A brief and reliable tool for early detection of postpartum bonding disorders in midwifery practice
 
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1
Albert-Ludwigs-University, Medical Faculty- Institute for Nursing Science, Freiburg, Germany
 
2
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute for Health and Nursing Sciences, Halle, Germany
 
 
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A1043
 
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Early identification of postpartum bonding disorders is crucial for the health and well-being of mothers and infants. The Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) is widely used for this purpose, but its original 25-item length can be a barrier in busy clinical and midwifery settings. A brief, valid screening tool is needed to support efficient routine care.

OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to develop a shortened German version of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), making screening for mother-infant bonding difficulties more feasible for midwives and healthcare professionals.

METHODS:
The PBQ was linguistically and culturally adapted into German using a rigorous, multi-step process including forward and backward translation, harmonization, cognitive interviews with mothers, and expert review. Psychometric validation was conducted with 363 mothers of infants aged 12 to 24 weeks. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and factor structure were assessed.

RESULTS:
The PBQ-15 was derived based on item analysis and factor structure. The PBQ-15 demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86), comparable to the original version. Factor analysis supported a one-factor model, indicating that the short form effectively captures the core construct of postpartum bonding difficulties. The reduced number of items significantly decreased completion time and respondent burden, enhancing its suitability for routine use in midwifery and clinical practice.

CONCLUSIONS:
The PBQ-15 is a reliable, valid, and time-efficient tool for the early detection of postpartum bonding disorders in German-speaking populations. Its brevity and ease of use facilitate integration into everyday postnatal care, enabling midwives to identify bonding issues early and initiate timely support.

KEY MESSAGE:
The German PBQ-15 empowers midwives and healthcare professionals with a validated, practical instrument for early detection of mother-infant bonding problems, supporting improved outcomes for mothers and their babies. Poster session 4 (Group B)
eISSN:2585-2906
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