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Self-efficacy and adherence as mediating factors between personality traits and health-related quality of life

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Abstract

Purpose

Personality traits are rather stable dispositions in adulthood, while self-efficacy and adherence may be modified through targeted interventions. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) serves as a vital outcome measure. The present aim was to explore the function of self-efficacy and adherence as mediators for the influencing effect of personality traits on HRQL in people with chronic disease.

Methods

An epidemiological sample of 786 persons completed questionnaires on personality, general self-efficacy, adherence behaviour and HRQL. Data were statistically analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and path models.

Results

Self-efficacy mediated the effect of Extraversion and Conscientiousness on mental HRQL. Neuroticism had a direct effect on both physical and mental HRQL. Adherence partially mediated the effect of both Agreeableness and Conscientiousness on mental HRQL.

Conclusions

The mental HRQL in people scoring low on Extraversion or low on Conscientiousness could be improved by strengthening general self-efficacy. Increasing adherence in people scoring low on Agreeableness or Conscientiousness could improve their mental HRQL, but the improvement was small and may be of lesser clinical relevance. These results argue for personalized interventions intended to positively affect health outcomes in people with chronic disease.

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Abbreviations

FFM:

Five-Factor Model

GSE:

General self-efficacy

HRQL:

Health-related quality of life

MARS:

The Medication Adherence Report Scale

MCS:

Mental component score

NEO-FFI:

The Neuroticism, Extraversion and Openness to experience Five-Factor Inventory

PCS:

Physical component score

SF-8:

The Short Form-8 Health Survey

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Acknowledgments

Funded by VBG GROUP CENTRE for Asthma and Allergy Research, at the University of Gothenburg, and Herman Krefting Foundation against Asthma Allergy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Krefting Research Centre, Institute of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 424, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden

    Malin Axelsson & Jan Lötvall

  2. Department of Nursing, Health and Culture, University West, 461 86, Trollhättan, Sweden

    Malin Axelsson, Christina Cliffordson & Eva Brink

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Box 500, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden

    Jesper Lundgren

  4. Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 457, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden

    Eva Brink

  5. University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 457, Göteborg, Sweden

    Eva Brink

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  1. Malin Axelsson
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Correspondence to Malin Axelsson.

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Axelsson, M., Lötvall, J., Cliffordson, C. et al. Self-efficacy and adherence as mediating factors between personality traits and health-related quality of life. Qual Life Res 22, 567–575 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-012-0181-z

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