Background: Mental health is important in the development of pregnancy and a fetus.
Aims: The aim of this study was to determine demographic, socio-economic, and personality-based correlates of mental health of well-educated Polish primiparas living in the capital city.
Method: The study included 164 women aged 22-38 in the second and third trimesters of a first, uncomplicated pregnancy. General Health Questionnaire-28, NEO-Five Factor Inventory, Life Oriented Test-Revised, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Body Satisfaction Scale, and Fear of Childbirth Scale were used.
Results: Professional work during pregnancy was a positive predictor of anxiety and insomnia, and good financial situation was negatively correlated with somatic symptoms and anxiety and insomnia. The trait anxiety was a positive predictor of anxiety and insomnia, neuroticism has played such a role in depression.
Conclusions: The mental health of pregnant women may depend on socio-economic factors and personality traits. Monitoring these factors would enable one to assess the degree of risk for the deterioration of the mental health during pregnancy.
Keywords: Mental health; Poland; personality; pregnancy; socio-economic status.