Validation of the Dutch Infant Crying and Parent Well-Being Screening Tool in Parents of Infants Less than 12 Months of Age

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the Infant Crying and Parent Well-Being (ICPW) tool in identifying parents struggling with infant crying in the first year of life.

Study design

The original ICPW tool was translated into Dutch following established guidelines. The internal consistency and criterion validity of the Dutch ICPW tool were evaluated using a cross-sectional design. The translated ICPW tool and validated questionnaires on parental depression, stress, anxiety, and parenting balance were presented to parents of infants under 12 months during child health care visits and online.

Results

The survey was completed by 488 parents, 400 mothers and 88 fathers. Of these, 172 participated after a child health care visit and 316 via online platforms. The Dutch ICPW showed satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.69) and excellent criterion validity with parental mental health measures (r = 0.53-0.85). ICPW scores demonstrated positive correlations with parental depression, stress, and anxiety levels, and a negative correlation with parenting balance. Both mothers and fathers with a positive ICPW screen (≥3) reported significantly higher levels of parental mental health issues compared with those with a negative screen (P < .001). The ICPW was positive in 32% of the parents (n = 155), with consistent total scores regardless of the infant's increasing age (r = −0.024, P = .59). The ICPW tool exhibited a strong negative predictive value (93%) for diagnosing postpartum depression.

Conclusions

The Dutch ICPW tool is a reliable and valid screening instrument for identifying parents struggling with infant crying.