Temperament, Character, and Depressive Symptoms during Pregnancy: A Study of a Japanese Population

Mariko Minatani; Sachiko Kita; Yukiko Ohashi; Toshinori Kitamura; Megumi Haruna; Kyoko Sakanashi; Tomoko Tanaka

doi:10.1155/2013/140169

Temperament, Character, and Depressive Symptoms during Pregnancy: A Study of a Japanese Population

Depress Res Treat. 2013:2013:140169. doi: 10.1155/2013/140169. Epub 2013 Dec 22.

Authors

Mariko Minatani¹, Sachiko Kita¹, Yukiko Ohashi², Toshinori Kitamura³, Megumi Haruna⁴, Kyoko Sakanashi⁵, Tomoko Tanaka⁶

Affiliations

¹ Division of Health Sciences & Nursing, Department of Midwifery and Women's Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan ; Kitamura Institute of Mental Health Tokyo, 101 Akasaka 8-5-13, Minato, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan.
² Kitamura Institute of Mental Health Tokyo, 101 Akasaka 8-5-13, Minato, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan.
³ Kitamura Institute of Mental Health Tokyo, 101 Akasaka 8-5-13, Minato, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan ; Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan.
⁴ Division of Health Sciences & Nursing, Department of Midwifery and Women's Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
⁵ Department of Women's Health and Mother-Child Nursing, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 4-24-1 Kuhonji, Chuo, Kumamoto 862-0976, Japan.
⁶ Aso Health Center, 1204 Uchimaki, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2301, Japan.

Abstract

Background. To examine the effects of temperament and character domains on depression during pregnancy. Methods. We examined 601 pregnant women using a questionnaire that included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), and demographic variables. Results. In a hierarchical regression analysis, severity of depression during pregnancy was predicted by the women's negative response towards the current pregnancy, low self-directedness, and high harm avoidance, persistence, and self-transcendence. Conclusion. Depression during pregnancy is predicted by personality traits as well as women's negative attitudes towards the current pregnancy.