The role of personality characteristics in postnatal depression

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the role of personality factors in predicting risk levels of suffering from postnatal depression. One-hundred and twenty-four female participants with an infant under 12 months of age completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Vulnerability Personality Style Questionnaire (VPSQ) and the Self-Compassion Short form (SCS-SF). VPSQ scores showed a significant positive correlation with scores of depressive symptoms. Scores of self-compassion showed a strong negative correlation with depressive symptoms. Regression analysis confirmed the strong predictive value of self-compassion in depressive symptoms. Limitations include reliance on self-report measures and the single point time testing during the postnatal period.