Personality Traits and Psychological Flexibility Affecting Distress in Couples Coping with Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Bar-Moshe-Lavi Leegal, Hertz-Palmor Nimrod, Sella-Shalom Keren, Braun Michal, Pizem Noam, Shacham-Shmueli Einat, Rafaeli Eshkol, Hasson-Ohayon Ilanit
Primary Institution: Bar-Ilan University
Hypothesis
How do personality traits and psychological flexibility influence depression and anxiety among cancer patients and their spouses?
Conclusion
Being psychologically flexible and emotionally stable is crucial for both patients and their partners' psychological well-being during cancer coping.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients with lower neuroticism reported less depression and anxiety.
- Spouses' agreeableness was negatively associated with their depression.
- Psychological flexibility training has been linked to reduced psychological distress.
Takeaway
This study shows that if you are calm and flexible, you and your partner can feel less sad or anxious when dealing with cancer.
Methodology
The study used the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) to analyze data from 46 patient-spouse dyads who completed various psychological assessments.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-selection of participants who may be more emotionally stable and flexible.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions, and the sample size may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
46 heterosexual couples, mean age 61.07 for patients and 59.39 for spouses, with diverse cancer types and stages.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001 for patients' neuroticism and psychological flexibility effects on their depression and anxiety.
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 0.24,0.74 for neuroticism effect on patients' depression.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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