Study on dimensional facets of personality as putative mediating factors for perinatal depression and anxiety in women who gave birth in Timis County

Introduction Antepartum depression has garnered wide recognition from the scientific community in recent years. This has led to the replacement of the term postpartum with perinatal in the 5th edition of the DSM with regards to pregnancy associated depression. Personality may play a significant role in the susceptibility for developing perinatal depression. Objectives The current research aimed to analyze the role of different facets of personality in mediating the occurrence of both, perinatal depression and perinatal anxiety, in women who gave birth in our region. Methods A prospective survey was conducted at “Bega” Clinic Timisoara in 118 women being monitored during their antepartum period. Of these, 80 women attended to the second assessment between 6 to 8 weeks of their postpartum period. Postnatal depression was assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale using a cut-off > 13. Personality was assessed by using the NEO-FFI Inventory that is five-factor model based. Results The presence of antepartum depression was identified in 28 (23.7%) of pregnant women while postpartum depression was detected in 7 new mothers (8.8%). Among the NEO-FFI Inventory factors only Neuroticism had significant higher mean scores in both antepartum and postpartum depressive women ( P  = 0.003 and P  = 0.016 respectively). There were also significant correlations between Neuroticism and antepartum and postpartum levels of both trait and state anxiety. Conclusions In the psychological management and approach of delivering women Neuroticism should be taken into account as a possible mediating factor for both depression and anxiety during their perinatal period.