Personality dispositions of colon cancer patients

Background: Previous studies about personality correlates of cancer patients led to inconclusive results mainly because demographic and medical factors of the participants were not controlled and the examined variables were not grounded in a coherent and relevant theory. Objectives: The purpose was to examine whether a comprehensive and coherent set of psychological characteristics, grounded in the cognitive orientation (CO) theory, will be identified in colon cancer patients that could serve as a basis for subsequent psychological intervention together with medical treatment. Methods: The participants were 106 colon cancer patients and 99 healthy controls that did not differ in demographic characteristics. They were given a questionnaire which includes background information, quality of life and the CO questionnaire of colon cancer. Results: The results showed that the patients and healthy controls differed significantly in most of the psychological variables, which were not related to demographic and medical characteristics. Discriminant analyses and logistic regression analyses yielded highly significant classifications of the participants. The main psychological features of the patients include concern with peace and quiet, self-restraint, and control of themselves and others. Conflicts and sources of tension were identified. Conclusions: There exists a clear-cut, comprehensive, and relevant set of psychological correlates of colon cancer patients that could serve as a basis for future psychological intervention.