Personality (at Intrapsychic and Interpersonal Level) Associated With Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer (Lung and Colon).

The objective of this study was to determine the association of quality of life (QoL) and intrapsychic and interpersonal behaviors (Structural Analysis of Social Behavior [SASB]) of patients with cancer (lung: n = 88; age 62.8 ± 10.1; colon: n = 56; age 60.1 ± 11.4). Personality described by SASB clusters (Cls): SASB-Questionnaire; QoL tests: FACT_G and QLQ-C30. Patients with lung cancer (n = 88; age 62.8 ± 10.1) and colon cancer (n = 56; age 60.1 ± 11.4; all stages of severity). Multiple regression analyses. Multiple linear regression: dependent variable: FACT_G; covariates: physical functioning, cognitive functioning, SASB-Cl3-50°, SASB-Cl6-50°. Analysis of variance and t test confirm validity of the model (P < .001). SASB-Cl3 with FACT_G (P = .034); SASB-Cl6 with FACT_G (P = .002); age with FACT_G (P = .018); physical functioning with FACT_G (P < .001); cognitive functioning with FACT_G (P < .001). Personality traits such as self-critical and oppressive behaviors, low capacity for self-esteem, physical and cognitive functioning, and age (a higher age determines a better QoL) strongly determine QoL in patients with lung and colon cancer. This may suggest areas of therapeutic intervention.

Spiritual well-being associated with personality traits and quality of life in family caregivers of cancer patients.

PURPOSE: This study focuses on the spiritual well-being (SWB) of the family caregivers of cancer patients, examining the relationship with personality traits and quality of life (QoL) in palliative and curative care settings. METHODS: All participants (n = 199) underwent the following self-report questionnaires: the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB)-Form A, the SWB Index, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36). SWB scores were dichotomized at a cutoff corresponding to the 75th percentile. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student's t test or by χ squared tests to compare high and low SWB and multivariate linear regression to estimate relations between SWB, SASB clusters (Cl), and QoL dimensions. RESULTS: Caregivers with high SWB reported significantly better scores than low SWB caregivers in the following SF-36 subscales: bodily pain (p = 0.035), vitality (p < 0.001), social activities (p < 0.001), mental health subscales (p < 0.001), and standardized mental component (p < 0.001) in the SASB Cl2 (p < 0.005), SASB Cl7 (p = 0.007), and SASB Cl8 (p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression was performed with vitality, standardized mental component, SASB Cl2, SASB Cl7, and SASB Cl8. Greater SWB is associated with greater vitality (p < 0.001), mental standardized component (p < 0.001), and SASB Cl2 (p < 0.001), but lower SASB Cl7 (p < 0.05) and SASB Cl8 (p < 0.05); palliative care is associated with greater SASB Cl8 (p < 0.05) and lower standardized mental component compared with the caregivers in active care. CONCLUSIONS: This study points out that caregivers who experience low SWB have a poorer QoL and more problematic intrapsychic aspects of personality, such as low self-acceptance of their own emotions, are self-refusing and unable to be in contact with their own feelings. This suggests that spirituality could be a source of strength and a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention.

Quality of life and burden in family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer in active treatment settings and hospice care: A comparative study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate caregiver burden and quality of life (QoL) in active treatment settings and hospice care for 76 family caregivers of advanced cancer patients, using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form and the Caregiver Burden Inventory. Compared to the active group, the hospice group reported significantly lower QoL scores in mental component summary score and higher scores in general health subscale and in physical component summary score. Future research needs to further investigate the complexities of caregivers' needs, especially in the emotional and mental domains, and offer effective, clinically proven interventions.

Validation of Brief Multidimensional Spirituality/Religiousness Inventory (BMMRS) in Italian Adult Participants and in Participants with Medical Diseases.

This study aimed at assessing the reliability and construct validity of Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality (BMMRS) on Italian sample. SAMPLE: 353 Italian participants: 58.9% affected by different diseases and 41.1% healthy subjects. The results of descriptive statistics of internal consistency reliabilities (Chronbach's coefficient) of the BMMRS revealed a remarkable consistency and reliability of different scales DSE, SpC, SC, CSC, VB, SPY-WELL and a good Inter-Class Correlations ≥70 maintaining a good stability of the measures over the time. BMMRS is a useful inventory for the evaluation of the principal spiritual dimensions.

Validation of the Italian translation of the Revised Temperament and Character Inventory--TCI-140--in adult participants and in participants with medical diseases.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed at assessing the reliability and construct validity of the TCI-140. SAMPLE: 428 Italian participants. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: psychiatric disorders. 100 subjects - longitudinal retest study. RESULTS: The results of descriptive statistics of internal consistency reliabilities (Cronbach coefficient) of TCI-R dimensions showed: a strong internal consistence of the scales: HA (α = 0.84); RD (α = 0.70); SD (α = 0.86); C (α = 0.75); ST (α = 0.83); a low level in NS (α = 0.60). In relation to facets, internal consistency reliabilities (Cronbach coefficient) ranged from 0.14 C3 to 0.79 C4 (from 3rd to 4th facet of C scale). Correlations: highest inverse correlation between HA and SD (r = -0.56); moderate inverse correlations for: HA and PS (r = -0.37); C and RD(r = 0.32); C and SD (r = 0.44). P, SD, C and ST showed good inter class correlations (ICC) ≥ 70 maintaining a good stability of the measures over the time. Four factors accounted for 56.3% of the variance for temperament subscale. Subscales of: PS4, PS3 PS2, PS1, NS3 for factor 1; HA2, HA1, HA4, HA3 for factor 2; RD1, RD2 and RD3 for factor 3; NS4, NS1 and NS2 for factor 4. Three factors that were identified accounted for 58.3% of the variance for character subscales of: SD3, SD5, SD1, SD2 for factor 1; C4, C1, C5, SD4, C3 for factor 2; ST2, ST1, ST3, C2 for factor 3. CONCLUSION: The reliability coefficients were significantly good for some dimensions of TCI-140 and showed a good correlation after time, while some dimensions as NS have low reliability. In the principal components analysis does not saturate all dimensions in its theoretical factor. Moreover TCI-140 is a useful inventory for the evaluation of the principal dimensions of temperament and character.

Evaluation of intrapsychic processes, anxiety, and depression in postmenopausal women affected by breast cancer: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The study of intrapsychic modalities can help to understand the association between depression and breast cancer patients and what kind of intervention can be planned. There is evidence that breast cancer is associated with the development of depression. The study of intrapsychic modalities may explain this association. Therefore, we aimed at investigating the intrapsychic and interpersonal processes of the structure of personality, anxiety, and depression of postmenopause breast cancer women. METHODS: All participants (n = 63) underwent the following tests: SASB questionnaire (Structural Analysis of Interpersonal Behavior), describing intrapsychic and interpersonal processes, validated on the basis of DSMIV, and the CDQ and ASQ questionnaires describing depression and anxiety. We compared two groups: breast cancer (n = 63) and a healthy control group of women without cancer (n = 83). RESULTS: Patients with breast cancer presented medium to high levels of anxiety and depression and intrapsychic level showed that they had less autonomy in their choices with low acceptance of their own feelings and tendency to be depressed compared to the control group (Cl 1 autonomy F = 10.21, p < 0.05, Cl 2 autonomy and love F = 13.01, p < 0.001, Cl 3 love F = 10.50, p < 0.01, Cl 5 control F = 6.44, p < 0.05, Cl 6 control and hate F = 4.49, p < 0.05, ASQ F = 6.07, p < 0.05, and CDQ F = 6.24, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intrapsychic characteristics such as tendency to depression, inability to being in contact with their own feelings, may be linked to difficulties in facing treatment and their condition of illness. Knowledge of these modalities could allow to plan a psychotherapeutic and multidisciplinary intervention aimed at facing the different phases of medical treatment.

Evaluation of Social Support, Quality of Life, and Body Image in Women with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at comparing the quality of life, body image, and perceived social support in women with breast cancer surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients receiving breast-conserving surgery (BCS) (n = 72), mastectomy alone (n = 44), and mastectomy with breast reconstruction (n = 41) were evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the EORTC Breast Cancer Module (QLQ-BR23), the Body Image Scale (BIS) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). RESULTS: The results indicated that the BCS group had a better body image compared with the other 2 groups and better role functioning compared with the mastectomy-alone group. In the reconstruction group, body image correlated with perceived social support, especially from family and significant others. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a positive perception of a supportive social network can help women with breast reconstruction to better cope with the psychological effects of surgery on their body image.