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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Personality traits assessed by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) as part of the perinatal depression screening
Magdalena Z Podolska1, Mariola Bidzan, Mikołaj Majkowicz
1Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland. magdalena.podolska@meditest.pl
Summary
Neuroticism increases the risk of perinatal depression in pregnant and postpartum women. Incorporating personality assessments like the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) could enhance screening programs for better maternal mental health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal mental health
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Current perinatal depression screening methods have limitations in standardization and efficacy.
- Integrating risk factor evaluation with tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) may improve diagnosis.
- This study investigates the link between personality traits and perinatal depression risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the relationship between personality traits and the risk of perinatal depression.
- To evaluate the potential of personality assessments in improving perinatal depression screening.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 229 pregnant and postpartum women in Poland.
- Utilized the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for depressive symptom screening.
- Employed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) to assess five personality traits.
Main Results:
- Neuroticism significantly elevated the risk of perinatal depressive symptoms in both pregnant (OR=1.23) and postpartum (OR=1.11) women.
- In pregnant women, lower risk was associated with extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.
- Among at-risk postpartum women, only neuroticism impacted depressive symptom prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Neuroticism, as measured by the NEO-FFI, is linked to an increased risk of perinatal depression.
- The NEO-FFI can be a valuable addition to perinatal depression screening programs.
- Personality trait assessment offers potential for enhanced early diagnosis and treatment.
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