The Open Rehabilitation Journal

2014, 7 : 1-5
Published online 2014 May 30. DOI: 10.2174/1874943701407010001
Publisher ID: TOREHJ-7-1

Big Five Personality Characteristics and Adherence to Clinic-Based Rehabilitation Activities After ACL Surgery: A Prospective Analysis

R.C. Hilliard , B.W. Brewer , A.E. Cornelius and J.L. Van Raalte
Springfield College, 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109,.

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted to examine Big Five personality characteristics as predictors of adherence to clinic-based rehabilitation activities following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery.

Methods:

Participants (72 men, 36 women) completed a questionnaire assessing Big Five personality dimensions prior to surgery. For the first 7 weeks after surgery, participants’ rehabilitation session attendance was recorded and rehabilitation professionals rated participants’ adherence during rehabilitation sessions.

Results:

Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that the 5 personality factors explained 9 percent of the variance in attendance and 16 percent of the variance in adherence ratings, that agreeableness was a significant positive predictor of attendance, and that conscientiousness and openness to experience were significant positive predictors of adherence ratings.

Conclusion:

As a potential contributor to adherence, personality warrants consideration when implementing rehabilitation programs after ACL surgery.

Keywords:

Attendance, big five, compliance.