Structural Pattern of Personality Traits in Cancer Patients on Treatment Adherence and Self-Efficacy Mediated by Social Support

Adherence to treatment and cancer coping self-efficacy are key components in the management of cancer disease. This study aimed at examining the structural pattern of personality traits of cancer patients on treatment adherence and cancer coping self-efficacy mediated by social support.

The method of the present study was descriptive and the research design was correlational based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all female patients with breast cancer who were referred to Shahid Rahimi Hospital for follow-up treatment, among whom 300 were selected using the convenience sampling method. Then, they completed the research questionnaires, including five personality traits, Self-efficacy appropriate medicine use scale, Cancer Behavior Scale, and Social Support Therapeutic Outcomes questionnaire. The research data were analyzed using AMOS statistical software.

The results showed that there was a significant relationship between personality traits, adherence to treatment, cancer self-efficacy, and social support. The results of structural equation modeling showed a good fit of the model with the experimental data and the general hypothesis of the research was confirmed. Personality traits have a significant positive effect on adherence to cancer treatment and self-efficacy. Also, personality traits mediated by social support showed a negative and significant relationship with adherence to treatment and cancer self-efficacy.

This study showed the effective role of social support in the outcome of social and individual measures to increase adherence to treatment and cancer self-efficacy in patients with breast cancer.