Browsing by Author "Tammilehto, Jaakko"

Goals: There is much variation between individuals in adjusting to chronic diseases. This study examined the direct and the indirect associations between personality, coping and life satisfaction in people with chronic diseases by using the typological approach to study personality. In the typological approach of personality, personality is studied by forming personality types which take into account a number of personality traits at the same time. Based on previous research, the context of life situation influences the relationship between personality and coping. The primary objective of this study was to deepen knowledge about the importance of personality and coping in the well-being of people with chronic disease. In addition, the main objective was to examine the suitability of the personality's typological approach in a sample of chronically ill. Methods: The study sample was a part of the Midlife Development in the United States follow-up study material. Adults who suffer from various chronic diseases (n = 1486, 59.4 % women, mean age = 60.6 year) were selected for the sample. Personality traits were measured using the likert-scaled items which describe big five personality traits. Coping strategies were assessed using likert-scaled statements based mostly on the COPE Inventory measure. Life satisfaction was assessed with indicators of satisfaction in different aspects of life. Latent profile analysis was used to investigate the structure of personality types and multinomial regression analysis was used to study associations between personality types and age, sex and whether one has chronic disease or not. The associations of personality types, coping strategies and life satisfaction were studied by using structural equation modeling. Results and conclusions: Based on the results of latent profile analysis resilient, overcontrolled and undercontrolled personality types were found. Both direct and indirect associations were detected between personality types, coping and life satisfaction. The resilient personality type predicted higher life satisfaction compared to overcontrolled and undercontrolled personality types. Coping by engagement and focusing on and venting of emotions partially mediated associations between personality types and life satisfaction. The results provide support for the role of personality factors in life satisfaction of people with chronic disease. Possible explanation models are discussed for the results and the role of the results is assessed from the perspective of the chronically ill people's quality of life. Lastly, discussion is provided about the limitations of the study in the light of generalizability and reliability.