Association between Type D personality and diabetes self-management behaviors in hospitalized adults with diabetes: an exploratory cross-sectional study

Introduction A chronic disease like diabetes can have long lasting complications if not managed well by the patients. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between Type D personality and self-management of diabetes. Methodology A pilot cross-sectional study was conducted in Qazi Hussain Ahmed medical complex, Nowshera, Pakistan. 42 diabetic patients were enrolled; they were interviewed using standard Type D personality and Diabetes self-management Questionnaire. Chi square test and Pearson correlation were used to find the association between Type D personality and Diabetes self-management. Results A total of 42 (83.3% females) patients were enrolled, mean age 60 ± 12.43. 54.8% ( n = 23) had positive Type D personality status and 64.3% ( n = 27) had optimal overall diabetic self-management. X 2 value was 0.258 and p = 0.611. Pearson correlation r = -0.420, p = 0.006 for Negative affectivity and Diabetes self-management while r = -0.409, p = 0.007 for social inhibition and Diabetes self-management. Conclusion There is no statistically significant categorical association between Type D personality and Diabetes self-management, as indicated by insignificant result of Chi Square test. With that being said, a moderate negative correlation in eating behavior domain does exist between the two variables.