Effective self-care practices are essential for individuals managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and understanding the influence of personality traits on these behaviors is of paramount importance. This study employs a systematic review and meta-analysis, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), to investigate the correlation between personality traits and various facets of self-care in individuals with T2DM. A total of 23 studies meeting inclusion criteria delineate distinct associations between specific personality traits and diverse dimensions of self-care. Notably, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness exhibit positive associations with enhanced foot care compliance, overall self-care behaviors, reduced smoking, and improved medication adherence. Conversely, extraversion and neuroticism display associations with decreased medication adherence, with neuroticism additionally linked to lower overall self-care behaviors.
This study underscores the intricate role of personality traits in shaping self-care practices among individuals with T2DM, emphasizing the need to integrate these traits into personalized diabetes self-care strategies. However, definitive causal relationships require further longitudinal investigations and comprehensive meta-analyses for a conclusive understanding.
Introduction & Background:
Burden of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a chronic metabolic disease, accounts for approximately 90% of all diabetes cases and poses a significant global health challenge. With 415 million people affected globally, projections indicate that T2DM will be the seventh leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. The condition not only doubles the risk of mortality but also contributes to psychological distress, mental health issues, and adverse outcomes, impacting cognitive function and diminishing overall quality of life.
Self-Care and Personality Traits in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:
Effective self-care, particularly achieving optimal glycemic control, is a central therapeutic goal in T2DM. This study recognizes self-care as a multifaceted aspect of life for individuals managing chronic conditions like T2DM. It involves proactive engagement in health oversight, collaborative efforts with healthcare practitioners, informed health-related choices, adoption of healthy behaviors, and assuming accountability for holistic wellness. Within T2DM management, key self-care activities include dietary choices, physical activity, and blood glucose level regulation, all significantly influenced by cultural, social, and personality factors.
Linking Personality Traits to Self-Care:
Personality traits, defined as enduring and relatively stable patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, play a pivotal role in T2DM self-care. Consistent tendencies in how individuals perceive and interact with the world, respond to situations, and regulate emotions influence health behaviors, particularly in the context of chronic diseases like T2DM. This study recognizes the transformative impact of personality traits on T2DM self-care, emphasizing both positive and negative implications. The notion of a “diabetic personality” introduced in 1963 highlights specific personality profiles that may indicate a poor prognosis and a higher risk of complications. Understanding these associations is crucial for tailoring effective and personalized diabetes self-care strategies.
In conclusion, this comprehensive review sheds light on the intricate relationship between personality traits and self-care behaviors in individuals with T2DM, highlighting the necessity of incorporating these traits into the design of tailored diabetes management strategies. While providing valuable insights, the study underscores the need for further longitudinal investigations and comprehensive meta-analyses to establish definitive causal relationships in this complex interplay.
