How anxiety levels during pregnancy are linked to personality dimensions and sociodemographic factors

We evaluated the development of anxiety, from the pre-conception stage to the postpartum stage, in 96 women who wanted to have children. Anxiety levels were assessed with the State-Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire for Adults (STAI). Personality dimensions (from the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire for Adults, EPQ-A) and sociodemographic variables were related with the anxiety levels. There were no statistical differences in State or Trait Anxiety during the period we studied. Neuroticism was significantly linked to anxiety levels. Older expectant mothers had significantly lower levels of anxiety at the pre-conception stage. We suggest that support offered at this stage would enhance the health of the mother and her new-born baby.