Associations Between Habit and Its Determinants with Medication Adherence in Chilean Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

ABSTRACT

High rates of medication non-adherence have been reported in Chilean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although habit is relevant to medication adherence, few studies have examined the antecedents of habit strength in taking diabetes medication. The aim of the present study was to assess the mediating role of habit strength in the association between determinants of habit formation and medication adherence in Chilean patients with T2DM. Participants were 245 T2DM patients from Chile. Variables were measured using self-report scales. Hypotheses were tested using a series of mediation models. Results supported the mediating role of habit strength in the relationships of medication adherence with planning, exposure to contextual cues, behavior repetition, perceived benefits, and intrinsic motivation. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings for the treatment of T2DM are discussed.