RESUMO
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between supportive care needs and type D personality, and to identify personality traits, including negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI), and their influence on the supportive care needs of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, correlational survey. SETTING: Oncology and surgical outpatient clinics at a medical center in northern Taiwan. SAMPLE: 277 patients diagnosed with CRC. METHODS: Data were collected using a set of structured questionnaires to measure supportive care needs, symptom distress, anxiety, depression, and personality traits. The associations between type D personality and supportive care needs were verified by the Mann-Whitney U test. The significant roles of personality traits were identified by generalized estimating equations, controlling for biophysical and psychological factors overall, and for the five supportive care domains. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Supportive care needs, type D personality. FINDINGS: Patients with CRC reported the most unmet needs in the health system and the information domain. Type D patients had higher needs overall and in most domains, except for sexuality needs. A higher level of NA indicated higher overall and psychological needs. A higher level of SI indicated lower needs in health system and information. CONCLUSIONS: The level of unmet supportive care needs of patients with CRC is highly associated with type D personality. The trait of NA alters levels of overall supportive care and psychological needs, and the trait of SI influences needs in health system and information. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Assessing personality traits before providing an education program is highly recommended for patients with cancer. The assessment could improve the quality of personalized education programs and better meet patient needs.
