Personality, coping strategies and emotional adjustment among Chinese cancer patients of different ages

Validity of the Health Personality Assessment among rectal cancer survivors in Serbia

Understanding health personality traits in rectal cancer survivors could help to optimize recovery and coping mechanisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the Health Personality Assessment in Serbian language among rectal cancer survivors. A cross-sectional study was carried out from June to December 2022. The study sample consisted of 76 people who underwent the open lower anterior resection for rectal carcinoma at the Clinic for Digestive Surgery and the Clinic for Emergency Surgery, University of Clinical Center of Serbia (Belgrade, Serbia) and whose ileostomy was closed. Study participants were interviewed over the telephone using the Serbian version of the HPA which was translated according to the internationally accepted methodology for translation and adaptation of questionnaires. The confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the fit indices for 5-factor structure of the HPA were acceptable-to-good: Goodness of fit index = 0.939; Tucker Lewis fit index = 0.989; Comparative fit index = 0.992; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.019. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for Health Neuroticism, Health Extraversion and Health Agreeableness were>0.7 and for Health Openness and Health Conscientiousness were >0.4. Predictive validity testing suggested that not having complications with the ileostomy and a longer time since ileostomy closure were associated with stronger Health Agreeableness. Also, a longer time since ileostomy closure was associated with stronger Health Conscientiousness. The Serbian version of the HPA showed good construct validity and acceptable internal consistency. This is an important tool in further research of personality and health outcomes among rectal cancer survivors.

Maladaptive coping styles moderate the relationship between information on cancer treatment and psychosocial symptoms: an Italian multicenter study

Objectives

Disclosing information on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment is a delicate process in oncology, although awareness levels have over time increased in people with cancer. However, individual characteristics should be considered when communicating difficult information. We conducted a multicentric study to explore the moderating role of coping styles on the relationship between information about cancer, quality of life and psychological distress.

Methods

In the period between October 2015 and February 2016, 288 patients with a diagnosis of a solid tumor were recruited from seven Italian oncology units. All participants were administered the Distress Thermometer (DT), the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30), and the EORTC QLQ 25-item information module (INFO25). We explored the moderating effect of coping style with quality of life (QoL) and distress (DT) as dependent variables and information on cancer treatment as independent variable.

Results

Low levels of anxious preoccupation significantly moderated the relationship between information on treatment and QoL (R2 6%, p < 0.001), while low and medium levels of hopelessness significantly moderated the relationship between information on treatment and DT (R2 = 14%, p = 0.033). Adaptive coping strategies, such as fighting spirit and fatalism, and borderline strategies such as avoidance, did not play a role in this relationship.

Conclusion

Taking into account and evaluating coping mechanisms in cancer care is a priority when disclosing information on treatments, in order to tailor communication style to individual features.

Gender and age differences in the associations between personality traits and depressive symptoms among Chinese adults: Based on China Family Panel Study

This study aims to explore the associations between personality traits and depressive symptoms among Chinese adults and analyse the gender and age differences in the associations. A national representative sample of 28,628 adults aged 18 and above were selected from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data. The short version of the Big Five Inventory (CBF-PI-15) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D 8) were used to measure personality traits and depressive symptoms respectively. Binary logistic regression models were employed to analyse the associations between personality traits and depressive symptoms in the whole participants, different age groups and genders respectively. After adjustment, higher levels of conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness were related to lower level of depressive symptoms, while higher levels of openness and neuroticism were related to higher level of depressive symptoms (p < 0.05). A significant interaction between gender and conscientiousness on depressive symptoms was found (interaction p = 0.005), and the association between conscientiousness and depressive symptoms was stronger in males than females (p < 0.001). Significant interactions between age and conscientiousness (interaction p = 0.007), agreeableness (interaction p = 0.001) on depressive symptoms were found respectively. Moreover, the associations of conscientiousness and agreeableness with depressive symptoms were strongest among old group, followed by middle-aged group, and then young group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness had negative associations with depressive symptoms, while openness and neuroticism had positive associations with depressive symptoms. The negative association between conscientiousness and depressive symptoms was stronger among males than females, and the negative associations of conscientiousness and agreeableness with depressive symptoms were strongest among old group, followed by middle-aged group, and then young group.

A global health model integrating psychological variables involved in cancer through a longitudinal study

Objective

The literature has shown the relevance of certain psychological variables in adjustment to cancer. However, there is a great variability, and these features could be modified through the disease process. The aim of this study is to provide an integrated and global perspective of the importance of variables such as coping, resilience, emotional control, social support, affect, and others in cancer patients through a longitudinal study, with the objective of exploring their associations and underlying interactions.

Methods

The sample was composed of 71 people diagnosed with cancer who were attending psychological support at the Spanish Association Against Cancer (Biscay). We assessed the following variables in two periods of 6 months: perceived stress (PSS), emotional control (CECS), resilience (CD-RISC), coping strategies (CERQ), personality (NEOFFI), social support (MOSS), affect (PANAS), emotional distress (GHQ), quality of life (SF-12) and visual-analogic scales (EVA).

Results

Results showed predictive effects of perceived stress on physical health perception (β = −0.22; t = −3.26; p = 0.002). Mental health perception was influenced by almost all the psychological variables. Consciousness at baseline (βCo = 0.15; p = 0.003), change in Extraversion (βEx = 0.16; p = 0.001) and Resilience (βRe = 0.15; p = 0.002) had significant effects on perceived mental health.

Conclusion

This study provides a global health model that integrates and explores associations between psychological variables related to cancer disease. This information could be useful for guiding personalized psychotherapeutic interventions, with the aim of increasing adjustment to disease.

Coping experiences of women in the different phases of breast cancer

PURPOSE

To understand the evolution of coping among women diagnosed with breast cancer over time, and the effect of age and family income on coping.

METHOD

Using a phenomenological qualitative study, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with sixteen women in a hospital in Barcelona (Spain) between January 2018 and June 2019. An analysis of thematic content and discursive profile was carried out, assisted by the Nvivo v.12 program.

RESULTS

Coping strategies change according to the meaning of breast cancer in each phase and the age and family income. In the acute phase, multiple coping strategies are identified, and this variety was more frequent among the young women in the study. In the extended phase, planning, distancing, and seeking social support become important. The latter used during treatment by older women in the study, regardless of family income. In the follow-up phase, distancing stands out, but also the search for social support among young women with fewer resources.

CONCLUSIONS

Coping with breast cancer evolves according to the meaning that the disease receives in each phase. In addition, the analysis by discursive profile shows how the social support context is also related to the coping strategies in each phase.

The effect of a supportive program on coping strategies and stress in women diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized controlled clinical trial

AIM

To investigate the effect of a supportive program on coping strategies and stress in women with breast cancer.

DESIGN

A randomized, two-armed, controlled trial.

METHODS

Sixty women were randomly allocated to intervention group (N = 30) and control group (N = 30). The interventions were held in six sessions, weekly from August 2018-March 2019 It was consisting of education regarding breast cancer; progressive muscle relaxation; stress management; emotional coping; and problem-solving strategies.

RESULTS

At baseline, there was no difference between the two groups regarding the mean score of coping strategies and stress. Supportive program group participants experienced a significantly higher increase on their problem-oriented coping strategies score in comparison with the control group. At the same time, scores in emotion-oriented coping strategies and stress decreased significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group. Result of this study can be used to develop relevant interventions targeting coping strategies to reduce stress among women with breast cancer.

The influence of coping types on post-traumatic growth in patients with primary breast cancer

Background

The physical and mental impacts of breast cancer diagnosis on women are substantial. Several studies have investigated the negative mental health effects of breast cancer. However, in recent years, there has also been growing interest in post-traumatic growth, a positive response to stressful events. Considering positive psychology focuses on such virtues, proactive coping theory was chosen as a theoretical guide. This study investigates how breast cancer patients’ post-traumatic growth is associated with proactive coping and mental well-being.

Methods

A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with 80 breast cancer patients aged 20–70 years attending an outpatient clinic. The survey was conducted using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Japanese version (PTGI-J), Proactive Coping Inventory-Japanese version and the Japanese version of the General Health Questionnaire. Single regression and multiple regression analyses with PTGI-J as the dependent variable were performed.

Results

The multiple regression analysis extracted proactive coping (P = 0.006), emotional support seeking (P = 0.004) and avoidance coping (P = 0.001) as factors associated with post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients.

Conclusions

These results suggest that using proactive coping for conflicts caused by a breast cancer diagnosis and temporary avoidant coping for daily stresses during the treatment process may enhance post-traumatic growth while preventing deterioration in mental well-being. Additionally, seeking emotional support is important for post-traumatic growth.

Assessment of Pain, Acceptance of Illness, Adjustment to Life, and Strategies of Coping with Illness among Patients with Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer is the fourth leading cause of deaths in Poland. The standard treatment for non-advanced gastric cancer is surgery, which significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. The objective of the study was to evaluate the strategy of coping with pain and its control, acceptance of illness, and adjustment to living with cancer in patients suffering from gastric cancer. The analysis of the impact of socio-economic factors on the above-mentioned problems was also analyzed. The study was conducted among 93 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer, treated on an outpatient basis at the Oncology Center-Maria Skłodowska-Curie Institute in Warsaw in 2017-2018. The PAPI (paper and pencil interview) technique was used. The questionnaire interview included metric questions (socio-economic variables) and four psychometric tests: BPCQ (the Beliefs about Pain Control Questionnaire), CSQ (the Pain Coping Strategies Questionnaire), AIS (Acceptance of Illness Scale), and Mini-MAC (Mental Adjustment to Cancer) test. In the area of pain control, patients with gastric cancer assign the greatest role to internal factors (M = 16.34, SD = 4.93), although women obtained the highest value in the impact of physicians. In the area of coping with pain, patients most likely select the strategy of praying/hoping (M = 22.19, SD = 9.36). The mean value of acceptance of illness for patients with gastric cancer is M = 24.02, SD = 7.69, and it is not conditioned by any socio-economic variable. In the area of mental adjustment to illness, the highest values were obtained by positive reevaluation (M = 20.73, SD = 3.35) and fighting spirit (M = 20.68, SD = 3.98). Patients with gastric cancer control pain mainly through internal factors. The most frequently chosen strategy for coping with pain is praying/hoping, and positive reevaluation prevails in the field of mental adjustment. The results point to specific factors that can affect the patient's pain, quality of life, and treatment outcomes. Knowing the diversity of these factors, it is possible to plan specific psychotherapeutic activities for specific groups of people that could be a supplement to the standard treatment process.

Role of neuroticism and extraversion in the emotional health of people with cancer

The impact that cancer disease can have on individuals varies depending, among other things, on their personal characteristics, so it is important to explore aspects such as the personality traits in relation to mental health in people with cancer. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between neuroticism, extraversion and mental health in people with cancer. Besides, this study also explored differences in mental health when combining extraversion and neuroticism levels. One hundred and seventy people who had been diagnosed with different types of cancer (breast cancer, lung, colon, gynaecological cancer and others) composed the sample. Almost all of them (92.9%) had received oncological treatment. The GHQ-12 scale was used to assess the mental health and the 60-item NEO Five-Factor Inventory was applied in order to measure neuroticism and extraversion in participants. A hierarchic lineal regression model was conducted. Neuroticism and extraversion did not show any interaction effect, although a partial mediation was observed in relation to mental health outcomes. Given the significant correlation between neuroticism and extraversion with mental health (r = .59, p < .001; r = −.41, p < .001), both personality traits were combined, resulting in a classification of four different personality profiles (F_(4;165) = 19.85; p < .001). Results in this study have shown that low levels of neuroticism and high levels of extraversion are related to positive health outcomes. They seem to be protective factors with respect to the mental health in people with cancer. The knowledge of the positive effects of these aspects contributes to the comprehension of mental health in the oncological sample, which should be considered in order to design and guide particular therapeutic interventions adapted to each person.

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

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.