Negative affectivity was significantly associated with pregnancy symptom burden and functional limitations (P<0.001), while social inhibition was associated with total maternal ambivalence.
Cross-Sectional (n=336)
No
Do Type D personality characteristics (negative affectivity and social inhibition) associate with pregnancy symptom frequency, functional limitations, and maternal ambivalence in pregnant women?
Negative affectivity and social inhibition components of Type D personality are differentially associated with pregnancy symptom burden and maternal ambivalence, highlighting the importance of psychosocial assessment during antenatal care.
p-value: p=< 0.001
BACK AND OBJECTIVES: Pregnancy is a biopsychosocial process in which personality traits may influence the perception of physical symptoms and emotional adaptation to motherhood. Type D personality, defined by negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI), has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, yet its relationship with pregnancy symptom burden and maternal ambivalence remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between Type D personality characteristics, pregnancy symptom frequency, symptom-related functional limitations, and maternal ambivalence. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 336 pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital. Participants completed the Type D Personality Scale (DS-14), the Pregnancy Symptom Inventory (PSI), and the Maternal Ambivalence Scale (MAS). Crude and adjusted linear regression models were used to examine the associations of negative affectivity, social inhibition, and their interaction with pregnancy symptom frequency, symptom-related functional limitations, and maternal ambivalence. RESULTS: < 0.001), whereas SI and the NA × SI interaction were not significantly associated with these physical symptom outcomes. For maternal ambivalence, nominal associations were observed for NA and SI across several domains. After false discovery rate correction, the most robust adjusted associations were observed between SI and total maternal ambivalence and between NA and the doubt dimension. The NA × SI interaction for suppression was nominally significant but did not remain significant after false discovery rate correction. CONCLUSIONS: Negative affectivity appears to be the main Type D personality component associated with pregnancy-related symptom burden and functional limitations. Social inhibition may be relevant to maternal ambivalence, particularly the total score, while the possible role of the combined NA × SI profile in suppression of ambivalent maternal emotions requires cautious interpretation. These findings highlight the importance of considering personality-related psychosocial characteristics in antenatal assessment.
Tığlı et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Pregnancy (n=336). Type D personality traits (negative affectivity and social inhibition) was evaluated on Pregnancy symptom frequency, symptom-related functional limitations, and maternal ambivalence (p=< 0.001). Negative affectivity was significantly associated with pregnancy symptom burden and functional limitations (P<0.001), while social inhibition was associated with total maternal ambivalence.