Predicting postpartum depression by evaluating temperament during pregnancy

The purpose of this study was to investigate premorbid temperaments to predict postpartum depression in pregnant women with no previous psychiatric history and to clarify the correlation between postpartum depression and the factors included in the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R) and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Auto questionnaire (TEMPS-A)/Munich Personality Test (MPT).

A total of 170 eligible pregnant women filled out both questionnaires, the first between the 8th and 23rd week of gestation, and the latter between the 34th and 38th week of gestation. Participants filled out The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) one month postpartum to measure for postpartum depression symptoms. All participants delivered full-term healthy babies.

Seventeen (10%) women met the criteria for postpartum depression with a score of 9 or higher on the EDPS. The factors significantly related to developing postpartum depression were schizoid and melancholic temperament on the TEMPS-A/MPT and marital dissatisfaction on the PDPI-R. The total score on the PDPI-R was significantly correlated with depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious temperaments on the TEMPS-A/MPT. A lack of social support on the PDPI-R was significantly correlated with depressive, irritable, and anxious temperaments on the TEMPS-A/MPT.

The findings suggest that postpartum depression may be related to schizoid and melancholic temperaments and marital dissatisfaction. The hyperthymic temperament was identified as a significant predictor in preventing PPD. Careful observation during puerperium is recommended if a pregnant woman is likely to have these temperaments or psychological conditions. Temperament evaluation should be done during pregnancy as a form of postpartum depression screening.