Personality, Perinatal Anxiety, and Substance Use as Converging Determinants of Post-Partum Depression in South-East Europe
<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Evidence regarding how dispositional traits, antenatal anxiety, substance use, and obstetric events converge to shape post-partum depression (PPD) in South-East Europe is limited. We analysed 102 third-trimester women and followed them to six weeks post-...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Oana Neda-Stepan Catalina Giurgi-Oncu Adela Bosun Omar Anwar Saleh Al Nakhebi Codrina Mihaela Levai Raluka Albu-Kalinovic Brenda-Cristiana Bernad Marius Gliga Adriana Mihai Radu Neamțu Catalin Dumitru Lavinia Stelea Camelia Fizedean Virgil Radu Enatescu |
| author_facet | Oana Neda-Stepan Catalina Giurgi-Oncu Adela Bosun Omar Anwar Saleh Al Nakhebi Codrina Mihaela Levai Raluka Albu-Kalinovic Brenda-Cristiana Bernad Marius Gliga Adriana Mihai Radu Neamțu Catalin Dumitru Lavinia Stelea Camelia Fizedean Virgil Radu Enatescu |
| author_sort | Oana Neda-Stepan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and Objectives:</i> Evidence regarding how dispositional traits, antenatal anxiety, substance use, and obstetric events converge to shape post-partum depression (PPD) in South-East Europe is limited. We analysed 102 third-trimester women and followed them to six weeks post-partum, and 102 age-matched community controls were used to (i) compare baseline psychological profiles, (ii) chart antenatal-to-post-partum symptom trajectories, and (iii) build an integrated model of clinically relevant PPD (Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale, EPDS ≥ 12). <i>Materials and Methods:</i> All 96 raw variables were forward–backward translated from Romanian, reconciled, and harmonized. The principal instruments used were EPDS, State–Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y (STAI-Y), Revised Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R), NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI-60), and the four-item Maternal Worry and Satisfaction Scale (MWSS). <i>Results:</i> Groups were age-matched (31.1 ± 5.4 vs. 30.3 ± 5.1 years, <i>p</i> = 0.268) but differed in urban residence (39% vs. 17%, <i>p</i> = 0.001) and current substance use (smoking 21% vs. 34%, <i>p</i> = 0.041; alcohol 6% vs. 22%, <i>p</i> = 0.002). Of five personality domains, only openness scored lower in peripartum women (26.1 ± 4.6 vs. 29.3 ± 5.2, <i>p</i> < 0.001). State anxiety rose significantly from pregnancy to puerperium (+5.1 ± 8.4 points, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Post-partum EPDS correlated most strongly with state anxiety (r = 0.62) and neuroticism (r = 0.50). A final model (pseudo-R<sup>2</sup> = 0.30) identified post-partum state anxiety (OR 1.10 per point, 95% CI 1.05–1.15, <i>p</i> < 0.001) as the independent predictor; neuroticism showed a trend (OR 1.08, <i>p</i> = 0.081). Obstetric factors (prematurity, birth weight, caesarean section) were not significant. <i>Conclusions:</i> In this Romanian cohort, heightened state anxiety—in synergy with high neuroticism and lower openness—dominated the risk landscape of early onset PPD, whereas delivery mode and neonatal status were neutral. Routine perinatal mental health screening should therefore incorporate anxiety metrics alongside depression scales and brief trait inventories to refine preventive targeting. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ac1a28465c0142818ad3e874638428fa |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj-art-ac1a28465c0142818ad3e874638428fa2025-08-20T03:58:27ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-06-01617114910.3390/medicina61071149Personality, Perinatal Anxiety, and Substance Use as Converging Determinants of Post-Partum Depression in South-East EuropeOana Neda-Stepan0Catalina Giurgi-Oncu1Adela Bosun2Omar Anwar Saleh Al Nakhebi3Codrina Mihaela Levai4Raluka Albu-Kalinovic5Brenda-Cristiana Bernad6Marius Gliga7Adriana Mihai8Radu Neamțu9Catalin Dumitru10Lavinia Stelea11Camelia Fizedean12Virgil Radu Enatescu13Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment VIII—Neurosciences, Discipline of Psychiatry, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDoctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDoctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment IO—Microscopic Morphology, Discipline of Medical Communications, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDoctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDoctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDoctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDiscipline of Psychiatry, The George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology, 540139 Targu Mures, RomaniaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Nursing, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment VIII—Neurosciences, Discipline of Psychiatry, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Evidence regarding how dispositional traits, antenatal anxiety, substance use, and obstetric events converge to shape post-partum depression (PPD) in South-East Europe is limited. We analysed 102 third-trimester women and followed them to six weeks post-partum, and 102 age-matched community controls were used to (i) compare baseline psychological profiles, (ii) chart antenatal-to-post-partum symptom trajectories, and (iii) build an integrated model of clinically relevant PPD (Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale, EPDS ≥ 12). <i>Materials and Methods:</i> All 96 raw variables were forward–backward translated from Romanian, reconciled, and harmonized. The principal instruments used were EPDS, State–Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y (STAI-Y), Revised Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R), NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI-60), and the four-item Maternal Worry and Satisfaction Scale (MWSS). <i>Results:</i> Groups were age-matched (31.1 ± 5.4 vs. 30.3 ± 5.1 years, <i>p</i> = 0.268) but differed in urban residence (39% vs. 17%, <i>p</i> = 0.001) and current substance use (smoking 21% vs. 34%, <i>p</i> = 0.041; alcohol 6% vs. 22%, <i>p</i> = 0.002). Of five personality domains, only openness scored lower in peripartum women (26.1 ± 4.6 vs. 29.3 ± 5.2, <i>p</i> < 0.001). State anxiety rose significantly from pregnancy to puerperium (+5.1 ± 8.4 points, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Post-partum EPDS correlated most strongly with state anxiety (r = 0.62) and neuroticism (r = 0.50). A final model (pseudo-R<sup>2</sup> = 0.30) identified post-partum state anxiety (OR 1.10 per point, 95% CI 1.05–1.15, <i>p</i> < 0.001) as the independent predictor; neuroticism showed a trend (OR 1.08, <i>p</i> = 0.081). Obstetric factors (prematurity, birth weight, caesarean section) were not significant. <i>Conclusions:</i> In this Romanian cohort, heightened state anxiety—in synergy with high neuroticism and lower openness—dominated the risk landscape of early onset PPD, whereas delivery mode and neonatal status were neutral. Routine perinatal mental health screening should therefore incorporate anxiety metrics alongside depression scales and brief trait inventories to refine preventive targeting.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/7/1149pregnancy complicationspsychologicalpostpartum depressionpersonality assessmentanxiety disorderslogistic models |
| spellingShingle | Oana Neda-Stepan Catalina Giurgi-Oncu Adela Bosun Omar Anwar Saleh Al Nakhebi Codrina Mihaela Levai Raluka Albu-Kalinovic Brenda-Cristiana Bernad Marius Gliga Adriana Mihai Radu Neamțu Catalin Dumitru Lavinia Stelea Camelia Fizedean Virgil Radu Enatescu Personality, Perinatal Anxiety, and Substance Use as Converging Determinants of Post-Partum Depression in South-East Europe Medicina pregnancy complications psychological postpartum depression personality assessment anxiety disorders logistic models |
| title | Personality, Perinatal Anxiety, and Substance Use as Converging Determinants of Post-Partum Depression in South-East Europe |
| title_full | Personality, Perinatal Anxiety, and Substance Use as Converging Determinants of Post-Partum Depression in South-East Europe |
| title_fullStr | Personality, Perinatal Anxiety, and Substance Use as Converging Determinants of Post-Partum Depression in South-East Europe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Personality, Perinatal Anxiety, and Substance Use as Converging Determinants of Post-Partum Depression in South-East Europe |
| title_short | Personality, Perinatal Anxiety, and Substance Use as Converging Determinants of Post-Partum Depression in South-East Europe |
| title_sort | personality perinatal anxiety and substance use as converging determinants of post partum depression in south east europe |
| topic | pregnancy complications psychological postpartum depression personality assessment anxiety disorders logistic models |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/7/1149 |
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