WED-055 - Standardizing Perinatal Depression Screening at PCS and Deployment Milestones

Brief Abstract Summary: Hear how frequent military relocations shape perinatal depression (PND) screening and referral patterns among U.S. military spouses. Using a cross-sectional online survey of N = 117 spouses who experienced at least one PCS during the perinatal period, I modeled both whether and how often spouses were screened and whether screening led to referrals. PCS frequency consistently predicted screening and referrals; deployment status and service branch significantly moderated relationships. Findings highlight missed opportunities and support embedding standardized PND screening at PCS and deployment milestones to improve timely, equitable mental-health care for military families.

Detailed abstract description:

Background: Military families face frequent relocations (PCS) and deployment cycles that can disrupt continuity of care during the perinatal period. Despite known disruptions, there is limited quantitative evidence on how mobility affects perinatal depression (PND) screening practices and subsequent referrals.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study examined associations between PCS frequency and (1) PND screening occurrence (yes/no), (2) screening frequency (how often), and (3) referral to mental-health services among spouses diagnosed with PND. I also tested moderation by military branch and by servicemember deployment status, controlling for race, age, education, and socioeconomic status.

Methods: An online survey distributed through military spouse networks yielded N = 117 eligible participants (spouses aged 18–45 who gave birth within the prior 2 years and experienced ≥1 PCS). G*Power analysis (α = .05, 85% power, medium effect) indicated minimum N = 101; the final sample exceeded this. Survey items were drawn from established measures in the literature; multi-item scales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α ≥ .70). Logistic regression models tested main effects and interaction terms. Model performance was reported using Nagelkerke R² and classification accuracy.

Results: Across eight models (four using screening occurrence; four using screening frequency), PCS frequency was a consistent predictor of both screening and referrals (estimated ORs ~1.65–2.01). Interaction terms revealed significant moderation by service branch and by deployment status in the relevant models, indicating the relationship between mobility and screening varies by military context. Models explained between 22% and 35% of variance (Nagelkerke R²) and achieved classification accuracy between 65% and 80%. Being screened substantially increased the odds of receiving a mental-health referral.

Implications for Practice and Policy: Frequent PCS moves both disrupt continuity of care and create key touchpoints for detection. Embedding standardized PND screening into PCS and deployment milestone workflows—and harmonizing protocols across branches—could improve detection, streamline referrals, and advance equity in perinatal mental-health services for military families.

What attendees will gain: Attendees will learn how to interpret two key quantitative indicators (odds ratios and Nagelkerke R²) in the context of screening research, and will receive three concrete, actionable steps for piloting standardized screening at military transition points.