Patients’ personality in disease self-management : a self-determination perspective

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the personality and patient activation. It also tested the mediator effect of autonomy support from physicians in the relationship between the personality factors and patient activation. We relied on a sample of 335 participants (Mage = 37.85, SD = 12.60) who had a medical diagnosis. The study’s results showed that extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness were positively related to patient activation, whilst neuroticism was negatively related to it. Autonomy support from physicians was shown to be a mediator in the relationship between the personality factors and patient activation. When receiving autonomy support from their health practitioners, patients tend to be more engaged, facilitating recovery, reducing complications, costs, and having overall better health outcomes. These findings might be considered for implementing more collaborative interventions in order to improve patients’ activation and supporting them to maintain an active role in their health.