Big Five Personality Traits and Social Support as Predictors of Postpartum Depression

Abstract

Postpartum depression is one of the biggest problems that mothers face after birth. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of personality traits and social support in explaining the variance in postpartum depressive symptoms. We predicted unemployment and neuroticism would be positively associated with postpartum depression while extraversion and social support would be negatively associated. The study was conducted on a sample of 50 new mothers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Correlational analysis of the socio-demographic variables and symptoms of postpartum depression showed that unemployment was significantly associated with depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. Regression analyses showed personality traits in general explained 29% of the variance in postpartum depressive symptoms with neuroticism and low conscientiousness as significant predictors. Also, social support variables explained 13% of the variance of postpartum depression with need for support as a significant predictor. The results confirm that unemployment, neuroticism, and social support contribute to the development of postpartum depression symptoms. The findings contribute to the understanding of the development of postpartum depression symptoms and can be used to develop psychosocial and educational interventions.