The role of social support and personality traits in the incidence of postpartum depression

Postpartum depression has a negative effect on maternal health and adverse effect on psychological development of newborns. Also patterns and personality traits can also be associated with postpartum depression. This study aimed to determine the role of social support and Personality in the incidence of postpartum depression.

This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 200 mothers referred to health centers by available sampling method between 6 weeks to 6 months after delivery. Data were collected using a Questionnaire Personal Information, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS, 1987), NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI, 1985) and Social Support Questionnaire Philips (1977).

Postpartum depression was observed in 49 (24.5%) of mothers. Neuroticism had the highest relationship with postpartum depression. The correlation coefficient of this variable with postpartum depression was 52% and this variable alone was 27% of the variance. There was a significant negative relationship between postpartum depression and social support (r= -0.027, P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between postpartum depression and neuroticism (r= 0.52, P<0.01).

This study showed that personality traits and social support are two important factors in relation to postpartum depression.