The Role of Personality Characteristics and Coping Strategies in Self-Care of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes as a chronic disease demand special self-care behaviors lifelong. Psychological factors have an important role in adherence of self-care programs among diabetes patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of personality characteristics and coping strategies in self-care among patients with type 2 diabetes.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study، 320 patients with type 2 diabetes (147 females and 173 males) were selected by convenience sampling method in Diabetes Society and Sina Hospital in Tabriz and then administered by NEO-Five Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFPI)، Lazarus-Folkman Coping Questionnaire and Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and path analysis.

Results of path analysis showed that neuroticism، extroversion and conscientiousness could predict self-care behaviors among patients with type 2 diabetes، and both of emotional and problem-focused coping strategies could moderate the relationships between personality characteristics and self-care behaviors.

Coping strategies affect relationship between personality characteristics and self-care in among patients with type 2 diabetes. Results of this research can be helpful in preventive policies، determining high risk patients in poor adherence of self-care programs and designing of psychological interventions.