Temperament and character traits associated with health-related quality of life in cancer patients

Background: There is an increase in attention to factors influencing the quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients. The aim of the present study is to evaluate temperament and character traits related to Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients with cancer. Methods: 203 inpatients from three Italian Oncology departments filled in the Temperament Character Inventory (TCI-140), the SF-36 questionnaire assessing HRQoL and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). 80% of patients were undergoing chemotherapy. Results: Lower levels of Harm avoidance and higher levels of Self-directedness were significantly correlated to a better HRQoL. Regression analysis controlling for psychopathology (anxiety and depression symptoms) have shown that the influence of temperament and character traits on quality of life seems to add little to the influence of Psychopathology. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the existence of some relations between HRQoL and Temperament and Character traits assessed using TCI questionnaire based on Cloninger’s personality model. However, among psychological factors, psychopathology seems to retain more influence on HRQoL of cancer patients.