Personality Profile of Hypertensive Type-2 Diabetics in Relation to their Gender and Adherence

Diabetes Mellitus(DM)is a metabolic disorder of multiple aetiology characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both (WHO 1999). The prevalence of coexisting hypertension and diabetes appears to be increasing in India. Hypertensive diabetics are more vulnerable to stress because they have to manage two chronic illnesses at the same time. Personality plays an important role in managing chronic illness. The aim of the present study was to find out the personality profile of hypertensive diabetics in relation to their gender and adherence to regimen. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 120 hypertensive diabetics equally divided genderwise and as per their adherence to their regimen. The sample was selected from various hospitals of Ahmedabad in the age range of 30-70 years. NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) was used to measure the personality (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness) of patients. The results were statistically analysed using two-way analysis of variance (anova). The findings revealed that the trait neuroticism was higher in hypertensive diabetics not adhering to their regimen than hypertensive diabetics adhering to their regimen. Other traits like Extraversion, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were higher in hypertensive diabetics adhering to their regimen than hypertensive diabetics not adhering to their regimen. Male hypertensive diabetics were higher than female hypertensive diabeticson trait conscientiousness.