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Association between Big Five personality factors and medication adherence in the elderly
Natascha Melo Linkievicz1, Vanessa Sgnaolin1, Paula Engroff2
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Medication adherence in older adults is linked to personality. High adherence correlates with agreeableness and conscientiousness, while low adherence is associated with neuroticism.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Medication adherence is influenced by patient factors, health beliefs, habits, and quality of life.
- Behavioral patterns and health perception significantly impact adherence to treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between medication adherence and personality traits in the elderly.
- To investigate associations with sociodemographic and economic variables in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional descriptive study of elderly individuals from Porto Alegre's Family Health Strategy and PENCE program.
- Evaluated sociodemographic data, medication adherence, and personality traits.
- Excluded participants with incomplete data, cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination - MMSE), or missing MMSE assessments.
Main Results:
- 123 elderly individuals (mean age 71.35±7.33) were included.
- 58.6% reported some level of non-adherence (low or moderate).
- Low adherence was linked to higher Neuroticism scores; high adherence to higher Agreeableness and Conscientiousness scores.
Conclusions:
- Neuroticism is negatively associated with medication adherence in the elderly.
- Agreeableness and Conscientiousness traits show a positive association with pharmacological adherence in older adults.
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