The effect of personality and diabetes distress on glycaemic control and self-care in Type 1 diabetes

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine whether personality traits and diabetes-related distress have an effect on glycaemic control and self-care of individuals with Type 1 diabetes. We expected the disease management measures of glycaemic control and self-care to be correlated. Diabetes distress, high or low neuroticism, and low conscientiousness were expected to correlate with poorer glycaemic control and poorer self-care. Methods Diabetic participants (N = 106) recruited from online Type 1 diabetes support groups and forums answered demographic and diabetes-related medical questions using an online questionnaire. Personality was assessed using a bipolar adjective scale, depressive symptoms were assessed using the Diabetes Distress Scale, and self-care was assessed using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities. Spearman’s correlations between variables were investigated, and multiple regression analyses demonstrated the variance explained in self-care and glycaemic control. Results Glycaemic control and self-care were correlated, but measured different aspects of disease management. There were age and gender differences in efficacy of disease management. Agreeableness and diabetes distress explained variance in glycaemic control, whereas age, extraversion, diabetes distress, and glycaemic control explained variance in self-care. The effect of neuroticism on glycaemic control and self-care was mediated by diabetes distress. Conclusions Diabetes distress and personality traits significantly predict variance in measures of disease management. Screening for diabetes distress and personality traits can inform preventative measures and treatments to achieve adequate disease management