Exploring the Association between Diabetes Distress and Personality Traits: Insights from the Alternative DSM-5 Model...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Psychology
• Endocrinology and Metabolism

Background:

• The relationship between diabetes distress (DD) and personality traits (PTs) is not well understood, particularly when DD levels are stable.
• Understanding these associations can inform tailored interventions for individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between specific maladaptive personality traits, using the Alternative Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD).
• To compare personality trait constellations between individuals with type 1 diabetes (PWT1D) and type 2 diabetes (PWT2D).

Main Methods:

• 358 participants with DM were assessed using the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5).
• Statistical analyses included evaluating psychometric properties of the DDS, correlating DDS and PID-5 scores, and comparing groups based on diabetes type and DD levels.

Main Results:

• A strong association was observed between the PID-5 Negative Affectivity (NEF) domain and both emotional burden and regimen distress subscales of the DDS.
• Individuals with type 1 diabetes exhibited higher levels of personality pathology compared to those with type 2 diabetes.
• Elevated DD levels correlated with increased personality pathology across most PID-5 domains and facets.

Conclusions:

• Clinical attention should focus on Negative Affectivity in individuals with diabetes, considering its link to emotional burden and regimen distress.
• Distinguishing between individuals based on diabetes type is recommended for targeted interventions.
• The dimensional DSM-5 PT model offers valuable insights for understanding and managing diabetes distress.