Association of personality profiles with coping and adjustment to cancer among patients undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective Specific personality traits are associated with differential use of various coping strategies. Few studies have examined the relationship between personality and coping in oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. We, therefore, examined the relationship between previously identified personality profiles (ie, Distressed [14.3% of total sample], Normative [53.8%], Resilient [31.9%]) and measures of coping and adjustment. Methods Patients (n = 1248) undergoing chemotherapy for breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, or lung cancer completed measures of personality (NEO‐Five Factor Inventory), coping (Brief COPE), and psychological adjustment to cancer (Mental Adjustment to Cancer [MAC] scale). Differences in coping and adjustment among the three personality profiles were evaluated using analysis of variance. Results On the Brief COPE, the Distressed class endorsed lower use of Active Coping, Positive Reframing, Acceptance, Emotional Support (ie, “engagement” coping); and greater use of Denial, Venting, Behavioral Disengagement, Self‐Blame (ie, “disengagement” coping) compared to the Normative and Resilient classes. On the MAC scale, the Distressed class scored higher on Anxious Preoccupation, Helplessness/Hopelessness, Fatalism, and Avoidance, and lower on Fighting Spirit, compared to the other two classes. Conclusions In this sample of oncology patients receiving chemotherapy, patients in the Distressed personality class showed a reduced repertoire of adaptive coping strategies, while those in the Resilient class reported greater use of adaptive or engagement coping strategies. Further work should examine the potential mediating or moderating role of coping and adjustment in the relationships between personality and patient outcomes. Interventions to enhance beneficial and reduce harmful coping strategies in cancer patients should be evaluated.

Psychiatric symptoms mediate the effect of resilience on health‐related quality of life in patients with breast cancer: Longitudinal examination

“…Positive coping mechanisms, such as positive emotional expression, positive reappraisal, and the cultivation of peace and meaning, mediates the relationship between resilience and HRQOL in patients with gynecological cancers 12 . Furthermore, cancer patients with high resilience can alleviate distress by employing appropriate coping skills 30,31 . Therefore, there may be other mediators associated with various coping skills that contribute to the effect of resilience on HRQOL, which should be confirmed through further studies.…”

Analysis of Personality Traits in Patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma

“…The profile of high neuroticism and low conscientiousness correlates with many adverse health outcomes in the general population [30][31][32][33]. Interestingly, in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy, it has been confirmed a personality style configured by these two traits called "distressed personality class" that has been associated with more intense levels of anxiety, depression, cancer symptoms [34], and a less adaptive repertoire of coping strategies [35].…”

Big Five Personality Model-based study of death coping self-efficacy in clinical nurses: A cross-sectional survey

“…While several studies have explored the impact of personality traits on coping and self-efficacy [30][31][32], to our knowledge there are no studies on the relationship between personality traits and DCS. Although personality traits can affect people's behavioral responses, it is not known whether self-efficacy in the circumstances surrounding the event of death is also affected by personality traits.…”