Abstract
Objectives: This investigation examines the association of personality factors and medication adherence among older adults. Method: The Six-Factor Personality Questionnaire was mailed to participants involved in a medication adherence investigation. Medication adherence was monitored with an electronic monitoring cap for 8 weeks for one prescribed daily medication. Results: Sixty older adults, mean age 77 years (range 67 to 93 years), returned the questionnaire (69% response rate). Stepwise regression analysis demonstrates that when age and level of education are controlled, independence predicts medication adherence. This factor demonstrates a negative relationship with adherence suggesting that higher levels of independence may be related to lower adherence to prescribed medication. The facet component self-reliance is predictive of poor medication adherence. Discussion: The finding that higher self-reliance is associated with lower adherence in an older population deserves further investigation and clinical consideration.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 407-418 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Aging and Health |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2006 |
Keywords
- Medication adherence
- Older adults
- Personality
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Sociology and Political Science
- Life-span and Life-course Studies