Predicting Medication Adherence Based on Personality Characteristics in Individuals with Type ۲ Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness and adherence to medications is vital to manage the illness. The purpose of this study was to examine the prediction of medication adherence based on personality factors in a group of individuals with type ۲ diabetes in Yasuj. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty individuals with type ۲ diabetes who visited health centers were selected for this study through convenience sampling. The participants completed the NEO-Five Factor Inventory and Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). The data were analyzed by mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS software. Results: The results showed that among the big-five personality factors, only neuroticisms significantly predicted adherence to medications (β= -۰.۳۱, P-value< ۰.۰۰۳). Furthermore, the model explained only ۱۹% of the variance in medication adherence (R۲= ۰.۱۹, P-value< ۰.۰۱). Conclusion: This study indicated that a large proportion of patients with type ۲ diabetes did not adhere to their medications. This study highlighted that the personality trait of neuroticism was important in predicting medication adherence in patients with type ۲ diabetes.

Keywords:

Diabetes mellitus , Personality , Neuroticism , Social support