BackgroundLimited research exists exploring the influence of personality on adherence behaviour. Since non-adherence is a major obstacle in treating prevalent chronic diseases the aim was to determine whether personality traits are related to reported adherence to medication in individuals with chronic disease.Methodology/Principal FindingsIndividuals with chronic disease (n = 749) were identified in a random population sample of 5000 inhabitants aged 30–70 in two municipalities in West Sweden. Data on five personality traits, Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to experiences, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness, and medication adherence behaviour was collected by questionnaires. Statistical analyses resulted in a negative relationship between Neuroticism and medication adherence (P<0.001), while both Agreeableness (P<0.001) and Conscientiousness (P<0.001) were positively related to adherence. At high levels of Conscientiousness, low adherence was related to higher scores in Neuroticism. At high levels of Agreeableness, low adherence was related to low scores in Conscientiousness and high scores in Openness to experiences.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that multiple personality traits are of significant importance for adherence behaviour in individuals with chronic disease. The findings suggest that several personality traits may interact in influencing adherence behaviour. Personality traits could putatively be used to focus efforts to educate and support patients with high risk of low medical adherence.

These data suggest that personality can influence how asthma patients adhere to asthma medication treatment, and report their control and HRQL. Tools determining personality traits may be useful in the future in individualizing management of asthma patients.

A single freestanding MI session as a prelude to conventional periodontal treatment had no significant effect on the individuals' standard of self-performed periodontal infection control in a short-term perspective.

Aim: To explore the influence of personality traits and beliefs about medicines on adherence to treatment with asthma medication.Methods: Respondents were 35 asthmatic adults prescribed controller medication. They answered questionnaires about medication adherence, personality traits, and beliefs about medicines.Results: : In gender comparisons, the personality traits "Neuroticism" in men and "adherence to medication" were associated with lower adherent behaviour. Associations between personality traits and beliefs in the necessity of medication for controlling the illness were identified. Beliefs about the necessity of medication were positively associated with adherent behaviour in women. In the total sample, a positive "necessity-concern" differential predicted adherent behaviour. Conclusion:The results imply that personality and beliefs about medicines may influence how well adults with asthma adhere to treatment with asthma medication.

The Swedish version of the CORE-OM is a valid questionnaire for assessing the severity of a broad range of psychological problems.