Individual Psychological Characteristics of Women During Pregnancy

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of individual personality predictors of a woman’s psychological state during pregnancy. The purpose of this review is to systematize and analyze studies of individual personal predictors of a woman’s psychological state during pregnancy. The study methodology was based on the Guidelines for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). The final analysis included 31 studies in Russian and English. Based on these latest data set an analysis of negative, positive and ambivalent individual predictors of a woman’s psychological state during pregnancy was carried out. Negative factors include negative past experiences, neuroticism and emotional lability. Developed coping strategies, extraversion, emotional stability, conscientiousness and self-efficacy are analyzed as positive predictors. Ambivalent factors are represented by knowledge about pregnancy and childbirth, the desire for control, empathy and emotional intelligence. Particular attention is paid to a detailed and thorough review of research on the topic, identifying gaps and conflicting data. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to psychological support for pregnant women.

1. Buinova Yu.I. Razlichiia v vyrazhennosti pokazatelei otnosheniia k beremennosti, lokusa kontrolia i emotsional’nogo sostoianiia u zhenshchin s zaplanirovannoi i nezaplanirovannoi beremennost’iu [Differences in the severity of indicators of attitude towards pregnancy, locus of control and emotional state in women with planned and unplanned pregnancy] [Electronic resource]. International journal of professional science, 2019, no. 11, pp. 45—51. URL: https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=41537702 (Accessed 10.09.2024). (In Russ.).
2. Vysochina O.D. Effektivnost’ psikhologicheskoi korrektsii trevozhnykh sostoianii u zhenshchin v period oslozhneniia beremennosti [The effectiveness of psychological correction of anxiety in women during pregnancy complications] [Electronic resource]. Skif. Voprosy studencheskoi nauki = Skif. Questions of student science, 2022, no. 12(76), pp. 421—426. URL: https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=50142082 (Accessed 10.09.2024). (In Russ.).
3. Palieva N.V., Tarasova A.Yu., Petrova Yu.A., Chernavskiy V.V. Psikhologicheskie osobennosti i sostoianie zdorov’ia beremennykh zhenshchin, ugrozhaemykh po vykidysham i prezhdevremennym rodam [Psychological characteristics and health status of pregnant women threatened by miscarriages and premature birth] [Electronic resource]. Glavnyi vrach Iuga Rossii [Chief Doctor of the South of Russia], 2023, no. 2(88), pp. 34—38. URL: https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=53831656 (Accessed 10.09.2024). (In Russ.).
4. Loughnan S.A., Wallace M., Joubert A.E., Haskelberg H., Andrews G., Newby J.M. A systematic review of psychological treatments for clinical anxiety during the perinatal period. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 2018. Vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 481—490. DOI:10.1007/s00737-018-0812-7
5. Asselmann E, Garthus-Niegel S., Martini J. Personality impacts fear of childbirth and subjective birth experiences: A prospective-longitudinal study. PLoS One, 2021. Vol. 16, no. 11, article ID e0258696. 15 p. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0258696
6. Cantwell R. Mental disorder in pregnancy and the early postpartum. Anesthesia, 2021. Vol. 76, no. S4, pp. 76—83. DOI:10.1111/anae.15424
7. Ceulemans M., Hompes T., Foulon V. Mental health status of pregnant and breastfeeding women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A call for action. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2020. Vol. 151, no. 1, pp. 146—147. DOI:10.1002/ijgo.13295
8. Jones L., Scott J., Cooper C., Forty L., Smith K.G., Sham P., Farmer A., McGuffin P., Craddock N., Jones I. Cognitive style, personality and vulnerability to postnatal depression. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 2010. Vol. 196, no. 3, pp. 200—215. DOI:10.1192/bjp.bp.109.064683
9. Artieta-Pinedo I., Paz-Pascual C., Espinosa M., García-Alvarez A., Group T.E., Bully P. Coping strategies during pregnancy and their relationship with anxiety and depression. Women Health, 2023. Vol. 63, no. 4, pp. 296—307. DOI:10.1080/03630242.2023.2188097
10. Ali N.S., Azam I.S., Ali B.S., Tabbusum G., Moin S.S. Frequency and Associated Factors for Anxiety and Depression in Pregnant Women: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study. The Scientific World Journal, 2012. Vol. 2012, article ID 653098. 9 p. DOI:10.1100/2012/653098
11. Howard L.M., Khalifeh H. Perinatal mental health: a review of progress and challenges. World Psychiatry, 2020. Vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 313—327. DOI:10.1002/wps.20769
12. Martin-Santos R., Gelabert E., Subirà S. et al. Is Neuroticism a risk factor for postpartum depression? Psychological Medicine, 2012. Vol. 42, no. 7, pp. 1559—1565. DOI:10.1017/S0033291712000712
13. Johnston R.G., Brown A.E. Maternal trait personality and childbirth: The role of extraversion and neuroticism. Midwifery, 2013. Vol. 29, no. 11, pp. 1244—1250. DOI:10.1016/j.midw.2012.08.005
14. Larsson B, Rubertsson C, Hildingsson I. Previous negative experiences of healthcare reported by Swedish pregnant women with fear of birth — A mixed method study. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 2023 Vol. 36, article ID 100859. 5 p. DOI:10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100859
15. Lavy V., Lotti G., Zizhong Y. Empowering Mothers and Enhancing Early Childhood Investments: Effect on Adult Outcomes and Children Cognitive and Noncognitive Skills. Journal of Human Resources, 2022. Vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 821—867. DOI:10.3368/jhr.57.3.0917-9083R2
16. Marshall E.M., Simpson J.A., Rholes W.S. Personality, Communication, and Depressive Symptoms across the Transition to Parenthood: A Dyadic Longitudinal Investigation. European Journal of Personality, 2015. Vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 216—34. DOI:10.1002/per.1980
17. Baranov V., Bhalotra S., Biroli P., Maselko J. Maternal Depression, Women’s Empowerment, and Parental Investment: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial. American Economic Review, 2020. Vol. 110, no. 3, pp. 824—859. DOI:10.1257/aer.20180511
18. Ozer S., Erkek Z.Y. The Relationship between Pregnant Women' Emotional Intelligence and Fear of Childbirth, Readiness for Childbirth and Ways of Coping with Stress. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, 2021. Vol. 2, pp. 83—93. DOI:10.30621/jbachs.899477
19. Öztürk R., Güner Ö. Comparing Psychosocial Health in Women with and without Risky Pregnancies: A Cross-Sectional Study. Erciyes Medical Journal, 2020. Vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 417—425. DOI: 10.14744/etd.2020.66750
20. Verkerk G.J., Denollet J., Van Heck G.L., Van Son M.J., Pop V.J. Personality Factors as Determinants of Depression in Postpartum Women: A Prospective 1-Year Follow-up Study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 2005. Vol. 67, no. 4, pp. 632—647. DOI:10.1097/01.psy.0000170832.14718.98
21. Roman M., Bostan C.M., Diaconu-Gherasim L.R., Constantin T. Personality Traits and Postnatal Depression: The Mediated Role of Postnatal Anxiety and Moderated Role of Type of Birth. Frontiers in Psychology, 2019. Vol. 10, article ID 1625. 14 p. DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01625
22. Maliszewska K., Bidzan M., Świątkowska-Freund M., Preis K. Personality type, social support and other correlates of risk for affective disorders in early puerperium. Ginekologia Polska, 2016. Vol. 87, no. 12, pp. 814—829. DOI:10.5603/gp.2016.0094
23. Yin X., Sun N., Jiang N. et al. Prevalence and associated factors of antenatal depression: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Clinical Psychology Review, 2021. Vol. 83, article ID 101932. 8 p. DOI:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101932
24. Savory N.A., Hannigan B., John R.M., Sanders J., Garay S.M. Prevalence and predictors of poor mental health among pregnant women in Wales using a cross-sectional survey. Midwifery, 2021. Vol. 103, article ID 103103. 9 p. DOI:10.1016/j.midw.2021.103103
25. Mateus V., Cruz S., Costa R. et al. Rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the perinatal period during the COVID-19 pandemic: Comparisons between countries and with pre-pandemic data. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2022. Vol. 316, pp. 245—253. DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2022.08.017
26. Gönenç I.M., Aker M.N., Güven H., Moraloğlu Tekin Ö. The effect of the personality traits of pregnant women on the fear of childbirth. Perspectives in psychiatric care, 2020. Vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 347—354. DOI:10.1111/ppc.12440
27. Zhang T., Luo Z.-C., Ji Y. et al. The impact of maternal depression, anxiety, and stress on early neurodevelopment in boys and girls. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2023. Vol. 321, pp. 74—82. DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2022.10.030
28. Yu M., Qiu T., Liu C., Cui Q., Wu H. The mediating role of perceived social support between anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction in pregnant women: A cross-sectional study. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 2020. Vol. 18, article ID 223. 8 p. DOI:10.1186/s12955-020-01479-w
29. Page M.J., McKenzie J.E., Bossuyt P.M. et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 2021. Vol. 372, article ID n71. 9 p. DOI:10.1136/bmj.n71
30. Serra R., Giacchetti N., Bersani F.S., Cappannini G., Martucci M., Panfili M., Sogos C., Aceti F. The relationship between personality traits and individual factors with perinatal depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2023. Vol. 23, article ID 382. 8 p. DOI:10.1186/s12884-023-05701-7
31. van Bussel J.C.H, Spitz B., Demyttenaere K. Anxiety in pregnant and postpartum women. An exploratory study of the role of maternal orientations. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2009. Vol. 114, no. 1-3, pp. 232—242. DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2008.07.018
32. Yuksel A., Bayrakcı H., Bahadir Yilmaz E. Self-efficacy, psychological well-being and perceived social support levels in pregnant women. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 2019. Vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 1120—1129.