Eysenck’s Personality Characteristics Significantly Contribute to the Quality of Life of Colon Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Colon cancer is one of the leading cancers in the world that cause death. Some studies show that personality characteristics play an important role in coping with colon cancer. The aim of this study was to explore the association between personality characteristics and quality of life in colon cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 200 subjects at the Oncology Clinic of the University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Data were collected in the period between April 2019 and June 2021. A socio-demographic questionnaire specifically designed for this study, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire for assessing personality characteristics, and a WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire for assessing quality of life were used for collecting data.Results: There was a significant positive correlation between extraversion and psychological health, social relations and the environment, as well as with the overall quality of life. A statistically significant negative correlation of neuroticism with physical health, mental health, and social relationships was found. A statistically significant negative correlation of psychoticism with the domains of mental health and the environment was found. Neuroticism contributed statistically significantly negatively to the level of physical health, mental health and social relations. Conclusion: Extraversion positively contributes to the level of quality of life in colon cancer patients. Neuroticism and psychoticism negatively contribute to the level of quality of life in colon cancer patients.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• physical health
• psychological
• traits