A personality and gender perspective on adherence and health-related quality of life in people with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Purpose Poor adherence to medication treatment for asthma and allergic rhinitis could challenge a positive health outcome. Health‐related quality of life (HRQL) is an important measure of health outcome. Both personality and gender could influence adherence and perceptions of HRQL. The purpose was to clarify the role of personality and gender in relation to adherence and HRQL in people with asthma and/or rhinitis. Data sources Participants (n = 180) with asthma and allergic rhinitis, selected from a population‐based study, filled out questionnaires on the five‐factor model personality traits—neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness—HRQL, and adherence to medication treatment. Data were statistically analyzed using t‐tests, Mann–Whitney tests, bivariate correlations, and multiple regressions. Conclusions Personality traits were associated with adherence to medication treatment in men. The influence of personality traits on HRQL also differed between men and women. These differences suggest that both a personality and gender perspective should be considered when planning care support aimed at improving adherence and HRQL in people living with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. Implications for practice It is suggested that both a personality and gender perspective be taken into account in care support aimed at improving adherence and HRQL in people with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Treatment adherence in Asthma and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Personality traits, Beliefs about medication and Illness perception

“…Therefore, larger clinical replication studies are desirable. However, the results are partly consistent with those obtained in the epidemiological asthma sample and previous findings regarding asthma (Axelsson et al, 2014) as well as the present ADHD sample. This suggests that at least some of the findings are valid.…”

“…In adolescents with ADHD, Antagonism was negatively related to adherent behaviour in line with previous studies on somatic disorders (Axelsson et al, 2011;Axelsson, Brink, & Lötvall, 2014). However, a gender analysis revealed that this association was significant in boys but not in girls whereas in young adults with asthma it was found in men selectively in agreement with prior findings (Axelsson et al, 2014).…”

“…This is in line with prior results on asthma and other chronic diseases (Axelsson et al, 2011;Axelsson et al, 2014;van de Ven et al, 2013).…”

“…In adolescents with ADHD, Antagonism was negatively related to adherent behaviour in line with previous studies on somatic disorders (Axelsson et al, 2011;Axelsson, Brink, & Lötvall, 2014). However, a gender analysis revealed that this association was significant in boys but not in girls whereas in young adults with asthma it was found in men selectively in agreement with prior findings (Axelsson et al, 2014). More specifically, males with high Antagonism among the young adults with asthma and adolescents with ADHD showed more intentional nonadherence, which captures the active decision not to take medication as prescribed (Horne, 2006;Horne & Clatworthy, 2010).…”

Does personality influence how people with asthma manage their condition?

“…Higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness and extraversion scores were found to be correlated with poorer asthma control [7,39]. Higher adherence to asthma medications has been linked with higher conscientiousness and agreeableness scores and lower neuroticism scores [41,42]. Higher extraversion scores were found to be associated with poorer adherence to peak flow monitoring in one study [40].…”