Health locus of control, personality and social support in treatment adherence among diabetic patients

Abstract

We examined the contributions of health locus of control (internal, external), personality traits, and social support in treatment adherence among Nigerian diabetic patients (N = 126; females = 49.21%, Type 1 diabetes = 58.73%, Type 2 diabetes = 41.27%; age range: 20 to 76 years). They completed measures of health locus of control, personality traits, social support and treatment adherence. Hierarchical regression analysis results indicated that internal health locus of control predicted greater treatment adherence, while the chance health locus of control and other people’s health locus of control predicted lower treatment adherence. Doctor health locus of control did not predict treatment adherence. Personality traits of agreeableness and conscientiousness predicted greater treatment adherence, whereas neuroticism predicted lower treatment adherence. Extraversion and openness to experience did not predict treatment adherence. Greater social support predicted increased treatment adherence. These findings indicate prospects for enhancing self-care among Nigerian diabetic patients by their control beliefs, personality, and support systems.