Personality type, social support and other correlates of risk for affective disorders in early puerperium

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of risk for postpartum mood disorders in mothers during the early postnatal period and to search for coexisting conditions.

Material and methods: We studied 546 women in the first week after delivery. The subjects filled out a questionnaire concerning their health, social and demographic status, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire, the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory and the Berlin Social Support Scales.

Results: Probable mood disorders affected 15.85% of these patients. The risk increased with a current cesarean section (ORa = 2.54), a higher level of neuroticism (ORa = 1.65), greater fear of childbirth (ORa = 1.18), a lower level of extraversion (ORa = 0.77) and greater need for social support (ORa = 2.68).

Conclusions: High level of neuroticism and introversion, as well as higher fear of delivery and the need of social support are among factors increasing the probability of mood disturbances in early postpartum period. A cesarean section might elevate the risk similarly. The mental health of such patients should be carefully examined.