Determinants of quality of life in type 2 diabetes population: the inclusion of personality.
OBJECTIVE
The identification of factors that affect quality of life (QoL) is crucial to ameliorate the increasing burden of diabetes. This study tested a multi-dimensional model that consisted of factors across three domains (personal, medical, and lifestyle factors) to understand determinants of QoL in adults with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
A total of 1,147 adults with type 2 diabetes completed a self-report survey which assessed demographic factors, personality (activity sub-trait), medical factors (diabetes duration, insulin use, number of comorbidities, and Body Mass Index), lifestyle behaviors (smoking, physical activity, and diet), and two indicators of QoL [i.e., health-related quality of life (HRQL) and life satisfaction (LS)].


RESULTS
The model explained 27.1 and 18.2% of the variance for HRQL and LS, respectively. Age was positively related to HRQL (β = 0.14, P < 0.01). Personality (sub-activity trait) was the strongest, independent variable in both HRQL (β = 0.25, P < 0.01) and LS (β = 0.25, P < 0.01) after controlling for demographic, medical, and lifestyle factors. Physical activity was positively associated (β = 0.14, P < 0.01) with HRQL but not with LS.


CONCLUSIONS
Personality may be a useful screening tool to distinguish adults with type 2 diabetes who are at risk for poor QoL.
Imayama
Ikuyo
I
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Plotnikoff
Ronald C
RC
Courneya
Kerry S
KS
Johnson
Jeffrey A
JA
D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires