Caregiver Personality Effect on Health Status and Adherence in Children With Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

Although there have been multiple studies that have assessed the effect of individual personality on health outcomes and adherence to prescribed treatment, few studies have examined the impact of a caregiver personality on health outcomes, and adherence for their child with a chronic disease. This study investigated the relationship between a caregiver’s personality type and its effect on two key health status measures and treatment adherence measured for a child with cystic fibrosis (CF) by examining (i) caregiver personality type, based on the NEO-FFI-3 (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness Five Factor Inventory), and its relationship to their child’s body mass index percentile (BMI%) and percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1% predicted) (ii) caregivers’ personality type and its relationship to adherence to prescribed daily treatment regiments. It was hypothesized that caregivers who score higher for neuroticism would have children with lower FEV1% predicted, BMI%, and adherence scores, while parents who score higher for conscientiousness would have children with higher FEV1% predicted, BMI%, and adherence scores. Participants were recruited after conducting a medical chart review of children that were followed at Boston Children Hospital’s (BCH) CF Center. Caregivers of the children that met the inclusion criteria were asked to complete the self-report NEO-FFI-3 and the TAQ- CF (Treatment Adherence Questionnaire – Cystic Fibrosis) during a scheduled clinical visit. A total of 29 participants completed both questionnaires. The results showed no significant relationship between caregiver personality type and FEV1% predicted, BMI%, and adherence to prescribed treatment for the child. The results indicated that there was no significant relationship between caregiver personality trait and health outcomes for children with CF. Further study using a larger sample size across multiple CF centers would be beneficial to elaborate on our findings.