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Personality and disease-related appraisals in patients diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia and multiple myeloma: A preliminary report
, 1, 1
Affiliations- The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
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Abstract
Introduction: There are studies in the literature on the relationship between personality and adjustment
to illness. The way a person assesses their illness has an impact on how they feel and function. The study
aimed to explore the relationship between personality and self-assessment of disease in patients with acute
lymphocytic leukaemia and multiple myeloma.
Patients and methods: The study group consisted of 41 patients with a diagnosis of acute lymphocytic
leukaemia and multiple myeloma aged 47–84 (mean 65.50 ± 9.37). Women comprised 39% of the study
subjects and men 61%. Subjects were assessed with the NEO–FFI Personality Inventory by Costa and McCrae
and the Disease-Related Appraisals Scale by Steuden and Janowski.
Results: The analyses carried out demonstrated the relationship between personality dimensions and the
assessment of one’s illness. Neuroticism was found to be associated with the evaluation of the illness as a
benefit, extraversion was associated with harm, agreeableness with obstacle/loss, and conscientiousness
with threat, challenge and value.
Conclusions: Patients who scored higher on neuroticism assess their disease as being less of a benefit
to them. Patients with higher extroversion levels perceive their disease as being less of a harm to them.
The more agreeable patients are, the more inclined they are to see their disease as an obstacle/loss. The
more conscientious patients are, the less likely they are to see their disease as a threat, challenge or value.
Abstract
Introduction: There are studies in the literature on the relationship between personality and adjustment
to illness. The way a person assesses their illness has an impact on how they feel and function. The study
aimed to explore the relationship between personality and self-assessment of disease in patients with acute
lymphocytic leukaemia and multiple myeloma.
Patients and methods: The study group consisted of 41 patients with a diagnosis of acute lymphocytic
leukaemia and multiple myeloma aged 47–84 (mean 65.50 ± 9.37). Women comprised 39% of the study
subjects and men 61%. Subjects were assessed with the NEO–FFI Personality Inventory by Costa and McCrae
and the Disease-Related Appraisals Scale by Steuden and Janowski.
Results: The analyses carried out demonstrated the relationship between personality dimensions and the
assessment of one’s illness. Neuroticism was found to be associated with the evaluation of the illness as a
benefit, extraversion was associated with harm, agreeableness with obstacle/loss, and conscientiousness
with threat, challenge and value.
Conclusions: Patients who scored higher on neuroticism assess their disease as being less of a benefit
to them. Patients with higher extroversion levels perceive their disease as being less of a harm to them.
The more agreeable patients are, the more inclined they are to see their disease as an obstacle/loss. The
more conscientious patients are, the less likely they are to see their disease as a threat, challenge or value.
Keywords
blood cancer, acute lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, personality
About this articleTitle
Personality and disease-related appraisals in patients diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia and multiple myeloma: A preliminary report
Journal
Palliative Medicine in Practice
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
283-288
Published online
2021-08-30
Page views
5896
Article views/downloads
220
DOI
10.5603/PMPI.2021.0025
Bibliographic record
Palliat Med Pract 2021;15(4):283-288.
Keywords
blood cancer
acute lymphocytic leukaemia
multiple myeloma
personality
Authors
Magdalena Pietnoczko
Paweł Brudek
Stanisława Steuden
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