Correlation between D-type Personality and Coping Styles with Delay in Emergency Medical Decision-Making

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-5775.2025.21.012

Abstract：Objective: To explore the correlation between D-type personality and coping styles with delayed decision-making for emergency medical care. Methods: A total of 200 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who were admitted to the emergency department of the First People's Hospital of Jiujiang City in 2023 were selected as the study subjects. According to the time from onset to decision-making before seeking medical care, the patients were divided into a delayed group (≥60 minutes) and a non-delayed group (<60 minutes). Based on the results of the D-type Personality Scale (DS-14), they were further divided into two subgroups: D-type personality and non-D-type personality. The relationship between D-type personality and delayed decision-making for medical care in AMI patients was analyzed, and the role of coping styles in delayed decision-making among D-type personality patients was also examined. Results: 140 patients experienced delayed decision-making for medical care and were included in the delayed group, while 60 patients were included in the non-delayed group. The total score of DS-14 and the total score of the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ) were lower in the non-delayed group compared to the delayed group, but the 'confrontation' dimension score was higher in the non-delayed group. In the non-delayed group, D-type personality patients had higher scores in 'avoidance' and 'yielding', but lower scores in 'confrontation' compared to non-D-type personality patients. In the delayed group, D-type personality patients had lower 'confrontation' scores but higher 'avoidance' and 'yielding' scores compared to non-D-type personality patients, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The delay time in medical decision-making for AMI patients was positively correlated with the total score of DS-14 and the 'avoidance' coping style. Conclusion: D-type personality and coping styles are related to delayed decision-making for medical care in AMI patients. Medical staff should fully recognize the impact of D-type personality and coping styles on delayed decision-making for medical care in AMI patients, screen and identify them early, and encourage patients to respond more actively to their condition, thereby reducing the delay time in medical decision-making.