Personality traits and preventive cancer screenings in the Health Retirement Study

Neuroticism, loneliness, all-cause and cause-specific mortality: A 17-year study of nearly 500,000 individuals

BACKGROUND

Neuroticism is related to mental and physical health. This study examined whether neuroticism and its underlying components were associated with risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

METHODS

Community-dwelling adults (N = 491,323) in the UK Biobank completed a neuroticism scale between 2006 and 2010. Vital status was tracked up to December 2022 via linkage with the UK National Health Service.

RESULTS

Over 17 years of follow-up, 43,400 (8.8 %) participants died. Accounting for age, sex, and ethnicity, participants who scored 1 SD higher on neuroticism had a 10 % greater risk of dying (HR = 1.10, 95%CI = 1.09-1.11), an association that remained significant but was explained partly by socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and chronic conditions. Item-level analyses found that loneliness was the neuroticism item most predictive of mortality (HR = 1.46, 95%CI = 1.43-1.49), especially in males. Neuroticism and loneliness were more predictive of mortality among relatively younger adults and those with lower education. Among the causes of death, neuroticism and loneliness had the strongest association with deaths due to intentional self-harm, respiratory and digestive system diseases.

LIMITATIONS

Loneliness was assessed with a single item. The associations could be due to increases in neuroticism and loneliness approaching death. However, contrary to expectations from reverse causality, the associations were similar when excluding deaths within the first five or ten years of follow-up. Future research should examine whether findings from this high-income country replicate in middle- and lower-income communities.

CONCLUSIONS

Loneliness was the component of neuroticism most strongly associated with premature mortality, including from intentional self-harm, respiratory, and digestive system causes of death.

Personality and the use of cancer screenings - Results of the German National Cohort

Objective

To determine the association between personality characteristics and use of different cancer screenings.

Methods

We used data from the German National Cohort (NAKO; mean age was 53.0 years (SD: 9.2 years)) - a population-based cohort study. A total of 132,298 individuals were included in the analyses. As outcome measures, we used (self-reported): stool examination for blood (haemoccult test, early detection of bowel cancer), colonoscopy (screening for colorectal cancer), skin examination for moles (early detection of skin cancer), breast palpation by a doctor (early detection of breast cancer), x-ray examination of the breast ("mammography", early detection of breast cancer), cervical smear test, finger examination of the rectum (early detection of prostate cancer), and blood test for prostate cancer (determination of Prostate-Specific Antigen level). The established Big Five Inventory-SOEP was used to quantify personality factors. It was adjusted for several covariates based on the Andersen model. Unadjusted and adjusted multiple logistic regressions were computed.

Results

A higher probability of having a skin examination for moles, for example, was associated with a higher conscientiousness (OR: 1.07, p < 0.001), higher extraversion (OR: 1.03, p < 0.001), higher agreeableness (OR: 1.02, p < 0.001), lower openness to experience (OR: 0.98, p < 0.001) and higher neuroticism (OR: 1.07, p < 0.001) among the total sample. Depending on the outcome used, the associations slightly varied.

Conclusions

Particularly higher levels of extraversion, neuroticism and conscientiousness are associated with the use of different cancer screenings. Such knowledge may help to better understand non-participation in cancer screening examinations from a psychological perspective.

Eating Behaviors and Physical Activity versus the Big Five Personality Traits in Women with a Hereditary Predisposition to Breast or Ovarian Cancer

The Big Five personality traits-neuroticism, extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness-represent continuous, individual features that affect a number of vital health aspects, including morbidity, self-reported health status, or lifestyle. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the eating behaviors and engagement in physical activity of women with a hereditary predisposition to breast or ovarian cancer and the Big Five personality traits. A total of 357 women, participants of 'The National Program for Families With Genetic/Familial High Risk for Cancer', were included in the study. In the healthy group, the following statistically significant predictors were found in variables: agreeableness-meal frequency (β = 0.151; p = 0.030); neuroticism-consumption of fruits and vegetables (β = -0.177; p = 0.016) and cereal products (β = -0.223; p = 0.002); openness to experience-consumption of plant-based fats (β = 0.141; p = 0.034) and physical activity (β = 0.153; p = 0.021). In the cancer group, the frequency of dairy consumption (β = 0.286; p = 0.003) and physical activity (β = 0.370; p = 0.000) were found to be statistically significant predictors for the openness to experience variable. Neuroticism is associated with less frequent consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as cereal products. Openness to experience was more often linked with a higher frequency of dairy consumption, plant-based fats, and physical activity. Women with breast or ovarian cancer and a higher openness to experience consumed dairy and engaged in physical activity more often than their peers with the remaining personality traits.

A novel scatterplot-based method to detect copy number variation (CNV)

Objective: Most methods to detect copy number variation (CNV) have high false positive rates, especially for small CNVs and in real-life samples from clinical studies. In this study, we explored a novel scatterplot-based method to detect CNVs in microarray samples. Methods: Illumina SNP microarray data from 13,254 individuals were analyzed with scatterplots and by PennCNV. The data were analyzed without the prior exclusion of low-quality samples. For CNV scatterplot visualization, the median signal intensity of all SNPs located within a CNV region was plotted against the median signal intensity of the flanking genomic region. Since CNV causes loss or gain of signal intensities, carriers of different CNV alleles pop up in clusters. Moreover, SNPs within a deletion are not heterozygous, whereas heterozygous SNPs within a duplication show typical 1:2 signal distribution between the alleles. Scatterplot-based CNV calls were compared with standard results of PennCNV analysis. All discordant calls as well as a random selection of 100 concordant calls were individually analyzed by visual inspection after noise-reduction. Results: An algorithm for the automated scatterplot visualization of CNVs was developed and used to analyze six known CNV regions. Use of scatterplots and PennCNV yielded 1019 concordant and 108 discordant CNV calls. All concordant calls were evaluated as true CNV-findings. Among the 108 discordant calls, 7 were false positive findings by the scatterplot method, 80 were PennCNV false positives, and 21 were true CNVs detected by the scatterplot method, but missed by PennCNV (i.e., false negative findings). Conclusion: CNV visualization by scatterplots allows for a reliable and rapid detection of CNVs in large studies. This novel method may thus be used both to confirm the results of genome-wide CNV detection software and to identify known CNVs in hitherto untyped samples.

Personality and aging-related immune phenotype

An aging-related immune phenotype (ARIP) has been defined as a decrease in naïve T cells (T_N) relative to the accumulation of memory T cells (T_M). Recent research implicates ARIP measures, such as CD4 +T_N/T_M and CD8 +T_N/T_M ratios, in multimorbidity and mortality. This study examined whether psychological dispositions that assess how people think, feel, and behave are related to CD4 +T_N/T_M and CD8 +T_N/T_M. Participants were adults aged 50-104 years (N = 4798; 58% women, Mean Age= 67.95, SD= 9.56) from the Health and Retirement Study. Data on CD4 +T_N/T_M and CD8 +T_N/T_M were obtained in 2016. Data on personality, demographic factors, and potential clinical (body mass index, disease burden), behavioral (smoking, alcohol, physical activity), psychological (depressive symptoms, stress), and biological (cytomegalovirus IgG antibodies) mediating factors were obtained in 2014/2016. Controlling for demographic factors, higher conscientiousness was related to higher CD4 +T_N/T_M and CD8 +T_N/T_M. To a lesser extent, higher neuroticism and lower extraversion were associated with lower CD4 +T_N/T_M. Physical activity, and to a lesser extent BMI and disease burden, were the most robust mediators between personality and ARIP measures. Cytomegalovirus IgG level mediated the association between conscientiousness and both CD4 +T_N/T_M and CD8 +T_N/T_M. This study provides novel evidence that personality is related to ARIP. Higher conscientiousness and, to a lesser extent, higher extraversion may be protective against age-related immunophenotype change, whereas neuroticism may be a risk factor.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown: Associations With Personality and Stress Components

The present study examines the role of personality traits, interpersonal relationships, and sociodemographic factors on perceived stress, related to COVID-19, and compliance with measures to mitigate its spread. Data were collected in the midst of the 'first wave' lockdown, with the survey completed in full by 963 participants. We measured stress, directly related to the pandemic, rather than general stress, and were able to distinguish between symptoms of emotional, behavioural, cognitive, physical stress, and alienation with high concordance. We included personality scoring with standardized T-scores, allowing for cross-study comparison, and a broader questionnaire on the participants' support for COVID-19 mitigation measures. Results of the multiple regression models indicated that low emotional stability and introversion, and high conscientiousness, common conflicts with loved ones, and some demographics (female gender, middle age, chronic health problems) correspond to elevated stress. Conscientiousness was positively associated with total stress and some of its components, whereas opposite results were found for emotional stability. Extraversion was negatively correlated to total stress, its emotional and physical components, and alienation. Surprisingly, increased stress was not related to greater measure adherence. The present results shed light on how personality, interpersonal relationships, and sociodemographic factors influence people's stress response during a pandemic.

Personality and Motivation to Comply With COVID-19 Protective Measures in Germany

The COVID-19 pandemic strains the healthcare systems, economy, education, and social life. Governments took several protective measures and formulated behavioral guidelines to prevent individual diseases and the collapse of healthcare systems. However, individual differences in the extent of compliance with the measures are apparent. To shed more light on this issue, the present correlational study examined the joint relation of several personal characteristics to people's motivation to comply with seven protective measures. Personal characteristics included age, gender, risk perception, the Big Five, the Dark Triad, conspiracy mentality, perceived locus of control, and general affect. Protective measures included social distancing, hygiene rules, wearing face masks, using a contact-tracing app, sharing one's infection status via the app, reducing physical contacts, and vaccinations. The study ran from 10 November 2020 to 29 December 2020. Based on a sample of 1,007 German-speaking participants, bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses showed that personal characteristics are significantly linked to the motivation to comply with these measures. However, general affect, control beliefs, and basic personality traits play only a minor role. Age and gender showed some significant associations with protective measures. In contrast, protection motivation factors, in terms of perceived severity of and vulnerability to infection, and conspiracy mentality appear to be the major correlates of adopting protective behavior. The absolute motivation to comply with the measures also shows that hygiene rules and wearing face masks receive a higher average agreement than more personally intrusive measures such as physical contact restrictions and vaccinations. These results highlight that factors that are relevant to some measures may be irrelevant to other measures. Differences in people's personal characteristics should be considered in the design and communication of measures to support social acceptance and effectiveness. In this context, cognitive variables, which can be addressed by communication and education directly, seem to be more important than general affect and relatively time-invariant personality traits.

Getting Personal: A Deep Learning Artifact for Text-Based Measurement of Personality

Analysts, managers, and policymakers are interested in predictive analytics capable of offering better foresight. It is generally accepted that in forecasting scenarios involving organizational policies or consumer decision making, personal characteristics, including personality, may be an important predictor of downstream outcomes. The inclusion of personality features in forecasting models has been hindered by the fact that traditional measurement mechanisms are often infeasible. Text-based personality detection has garnered attention due to the public availability of digital textual traces, however state-of-the-art models proposed by IBM, Google, Facebook, and academic research are not accurate enough to be used for downstream real-world forecasting tasks. We propose a novel text-based personality measurement approach that improves detection of personality dimensions by 10–20 percentage points relative to the best existing methods developed in industry and academia. Using case studies in the finance and health domains, we show that more accurate text-based personality detection can translate into significant improvements in downstream applications such as forecasting future firm performance or predicting pandemic infection rates. Our findings have important implications for managers focused on enabling, producing, or consuming predictive analytics for enhanced agility in decision making.

Religious Denomination, Religiosity, Religious Attendance, and Cancer Prevention. A Systematic Review

Recent research highlighted the influence of religion among health outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, there is no systematic review that summarizes the evidence on the relationship between religious factors and the utilization of cancer screenings. Therefore, this article aims to list the findings about the influence of religious denominations, the importance of religion in one’s life, and religious practices, such as church attendance on the utilization of cancer screenings. PubMed, PsycInfo and CINAHL were searched using a predefined algorithm in June 2020. We included observational studies that examined the association between religion and cancer screening use and employed appropriate items to quantify these key variables. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. We detected n=27 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Hereby, n=16 used data from the United States. Most of the studies that were included in our review found a positive association between religious attendance and cancer screening utilization. There was mixed evidence concerning religious denomination as well as religiosity and use of cancer screenings. The studies suggest that religious factors are related to the utilization of cancer screenings. The findings of this systematic review may be helpful to resolve the underuse of cancer screenings by revealing at-risk-groups.

Personality traits are consistently associated with blood mitochondrial DNA copy number estimated from genome sequences in two genetic cohort studies

Background

Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in tissues and blood can be altered in conditions like diabetes and major depression and may play a role in aging and longevity. However, little is known about the association between mtDNAcn and personality traits linked to emotional states, metabolic health, and longevity. This study tests the hypothesis that blood mtDNAcn is related to personality traits and mediates the association between personality and mortality.

Methods

We assessed the big five personality domains and facets using the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R), assessed depressive symptoms with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), estimated mtDNAcn levels from whole-genome sequencing, and tracked mortality in participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Results were replicated in the SardiNIA Project.

Results

We found that mtDNAcn was negatively associated with the Neuroticism domain and its facets and positively associated with facets from the other four domains. The direction and size of the effects were replicated in the SardiNIA cohort and were robust to adjustment for potential confounders in both samples. Consistent with the Neuroticism finding, higher depressive symptoms were associated with lower mtDNAcn. Finally, mtDNAcn mediated the association between personality and mortality risk.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study to show a replicable association between mtDNAcn and personality. Furthermore, the results support our hypothesis that mtDNAcn is a biomarker of the biological process that explains part of the association between personality and mortality.

Funding

Support for this work was provided by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Aging (Z01-AG000693, Z01-AG000970, and Z01-AG000949) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health. AT was also supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health Grant R01AG068093.

Religion and cancer prevention: study protocol for a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Several studies explored a relationship between religiousness and the utilisation of cancer screenings, as religious people may obtain an increased social network or could have certain personality traits that enhance screening use. To the best of our knowledge, there is no systematic review that sums up the evidence gained from research on that relationship. Thus, our review aims to appraise the findings of observational studies regarding that relationship. Its findings may be useful in addressing specific target groups to increase ineffectively the low cancer screening rates.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Employing a predefined search algorithm, three online databases (CINAHL, PsycInfo and PubMed) will be searched. In addition, the bibliographies of the studies included in our review will be searched through manually and independently by two reviewers. We are looking for observational studies (both cross-sectional and longitudinal) which examine the association between religion and cancer screening utilisation. However, studies regarding specific samples (as ethnic minorities or religious sects) will be excluded. We expect that the studies examine various dimensions of religion, such as religious attendance or religious intensity. We will extract data that describe methodology, sample characteristics and the findings concerning our object of investigation. Moreover, a quality assessment will be performed. Two reviewers will independently select the studies, extract the data and assess the studies' quality. Disagreements will be dissolved by discussion or by inclusion of a third party. The findings will be presented narratively in text and tables. If possible, a meta-analysis will be carried out.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

As no primary data are collected, the approval from an ethics committee is not required. Our review will be published in a peer-reviewed, scientific journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021229222.

Cognitive behavioral therapy on personality characteristics of cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The main treatment methods for cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy and so on. Patients often feel anger, anxiety, depression, and other negative psychological reactions in the process of treatment.

AIM

To explore the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on the personality characteristics of cancer patients.

METHODS

According to the matching design requirements, 150 cancer patients were divided into 3 groups based on sex, age, condition, and cultural background. Patients in the control group received conventional treatment. Patients in experimental group 1 received an intervention based on conventional treatment combined with cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients in experimental group 2 received family members' participation in addition to the treatment given in experimental group 1. An Eysenck personality questionnaire was used to investigate all the patients before and after the intervention, and the scores for psychosis, introversion, neuroticism, and concealment degree were analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, for experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 before and after the intervention, the four dimensions of mental quality, neuroticism, introversion and concealment degree all decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After the intervention, there were no obvious or statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) among the control group, experimental group 1, and experimental group 2 for two personality traits, psychoticism and neuroticism, both inside and outside degree and all four dimensions.

CONCLUSION

Simple cognitive behavioral therapy could not change the personality characteristics of cancer patients quickly, but the patients’ personality characteristics were significantly improved after treatment.

Identifying Predictive Factors in Compliance with the COVID-19 Containment Measures: A Mediation Analysis

INTRODUCTION

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led governments to implement some containment measures to flatten the curve of the diffusion of the virus. The current study aims to investigate individual differences in compliance with these restrictive behaviors. In a sample of Italian individuals (N = 300), we examined whether sociodemographic factors, personality traits, fatalism, and fear could be considered as possible predictors.

METHODS

We performed a series of standard multiple regression analyses and proposed a mediation analysis to test the associations among variables.

RESULTS

Overall, our results suggested that men are less likely to engage in preventive behaviors, younger individuals are more reluctant to adhere to social distancing mandates, and fear has a functional role in predicting positive outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The results of our analyses are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.

Neuroticism and Risk of Parkinson's Disease: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Neuroticism is linked to mood disorders and Alzheimer's disease, but fewer studies have tested the prospective association with Parkinson's disease (PD).

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between neuroticism and risk of PD in a large cohort and a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

METHODS

Participants from the UK Biobank (N = 490,755) completed a neuroticism scale in 2006-2010. Incident PD was ascertained using electronic health records or death records up to 2018. The systematic search and meta-analysis followed the MOOSE guidelines.

RESULTS

During 11.91 years of follow-up (mean = 8.88 years; 4,360,105 person-years) 1142 incident PD cases were identified. Neuroticism was associated with higher risk of incident PD, both as continuous (HR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.21-1.36) and categorical variable (top vs. bottom quartiles: HR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.60-2.22). The association remained significant after accounting for age, sex, smoking, physical activity, anxiety, and depressed mood, and after excluding cases that occurred within the first 5 years of follow-up. The associations were similar for women and men and across levels of socioeconomic status. Random-effect meta-analysis of four prospective studies (N = 548,284) found neuroticism associated with increased risk of incident PD (HR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.59-2.08; P = 7.31-19 ). There was no evidence of heterogeneity across studies with follow-ups ranging from one to four decades.

CONCLUSION

The results from the large UK Biobank and meta-analysis of prospective studies indicate that neuroticism is consistently associated with a higher risk of incident PD. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Adherence to COVID-19 mitigation measures: The role of sociodemographic and personality factors

The current COVID-19 pandemic caught the decision makers in many countries sub-optimally prepared to respond. To better cope with similar situations in the future, it is vital to understand the major predictors of health-beneficial behavior and adherence to imposed mitigation measures and guidelines. To tailor the promotion of government-imposed measures, it is important to understand how the sociodemographic background combined with personality traits affect the perception and responsiveness of people. We investigated the perception and adherence to mitigation measures during the pandemic by examining their trends across several sociodemographic categories and personality dimensions. The strongest predictors of confidence in the preventive measures and their implementation were the participants' concern of infection and concern of infecting their loved ones, followed by gender and age. Education, settlement size, field and type of employment, household type, own medical problems, and the age and health of the participants' loved ones had a smaller influence on the perceived guidelines importance and implementation. Adherence to measures was positively related to the participants' score in conscientiousness and, in lesser extent, openness. Agreeableness, energy, and emotional stability correlated positively with adherence to basic guidelines. Study provides information useful for developing and adapting future public health policies and interventions.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-021-02051-5.

Resilience and coping strategies in relation to mental health outcomes in people with cancer

Considering the importance of psychological variables on health-related processes, this study investigated the role of resilience and coping strategies in relation to health. The aim of this research was to explore the underlying association between these aspects for the better understanding of the effect of psychosocial variables on mental health in cancer. This information could lead to the design of adapted psychological interventions in cancer. Participants with different diagnosis of cancer were recruited (N = 170). They came from the Spanish Association Against Cancer of Biscay. Resilience was measured with the 10 items Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, coping with the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and mental health was measured as a global indicator through the SF-12 and the GHQ-12. A structural equation model (SEM) was conducted to test the effects between the constructs. Results showed that resilience and coping were significantly associated. Results reflected an absence of significant correlation between adaptive and disadaptive coping strategies. Resilience was the factor that most correlated with health outcomes (β = –.45, p < .001). However, disadaptive coping strategies did not correlate with resilience or mental health indicators. Findings in this study underscore the positive contribution of high levels of resilience and an adaptive coping on participants´ level of health. Disadaptive coping strategies did not reflect any positive relation with resilience or health indicators. Thus, promoting resilience and adaptive coping could be a significant goal for psychosocial and educational interventions in people with cancer.

Predictors of acceptability and engagement in a self-guided online program for depression and anxiety

BACKGROUND

Low engagement with self-guided online programs limits the potential of these programs to provide effective and low-cost treatment of mild to moderate depression and anxiety at scale. Identifying factors that increase uptake and adherence in self-guided online programs may facilitate the development of targeted implementation strategies to increase engagement with these programs in the community. Using data from a randomized controlled trial of a self-guided online program for depression and anxiety, the aim of this study was to identify predictors of the acceptability of internet-based psychological programs, and engagement (uptake and adherence) with the online program tested in the trial.

METHODS

A total of 556 community members with elevated symptoms of depression or anxiety were recruited via social media into the two active conditions of a three-arm randomized controlled trial. This trial tested the effectiveness of a 7-week self-guided online program for depression and anxiety called myCompass 2, delivered with or without an Engagement-Facilitation Intervention. Predictors of uptake (accessing at least one therapeutic module of the program), adherence (modules completed), and acceptability of internet-based psychological programs (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, UTAUT scale) were examined, including demographics, mental health status, help-seeking attitudes, stigma, acceptability of internet programs, and personality factors.

RESULTS

Logistic regression demonstrated that higher levels of conscientiousness (OR = 1.06, p = .026, 95% CI =1.01-1.12), and acceptability of internet-based psychological programs (OR = 1.09, p = .005, 95% CI =1.03-1.16) predicted greater uptake, and that failing to complete a module was predicted by lower levels of acceptability (OR = 0.88, p = .027, 95% CI =0.78-0.99). Linear regression showed that higher levels of agreeableness (t = 4.66, p < .001), lower levels of stigma (t = -2.28, p = .023) and more positive help-seeking attitudes (t = 2.05, p = .041) predicted higher acceptability attitudes.

DISCUSSION

Acceptability of internet-based psychological programs was identified as a factor that increased both uptake and adherence to the myCompass 2 program. Efforts to increase the acceptability of these programs may improve engagement with these programs in the community. It may also be useful to consider personality traits and clinical profiles when considering the appropriate audience for self-guided internet interventions.

Do neuroticism and extraversion personality traits influence disease-specific risk factors for mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease in a Japanese population?

OBJECTIVE

Although many reports discussing the associations between personality traits and mortality have been published internationally, those evaluating the relationships among personality, risk factors, and mortality of cancer and CVD are limited.

METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, we assessed the relationship of neuroticism and extraversion traits with mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 11,554 Japanese residents (male, n = 4995; female, n = 6559), and whether the risk factors that have been validated in the Japanese population mediated the relationship. The baseline survey was conducted between February 2004 and August 2007, and the participants were followed until the date of death or December 31, 2013.

RESULTS

Neuroticism was positively associated with risk factors for cancer and negatively associated with the risk score for CVD in both sexes. The relationship between extraversion and cancer risk factors differed depending on the factors, and a positive association between extraversion and the CVD risk score was observed only in men. Among cancer mortality, CVD mortality, and mortality due to other causes, cancer mortality showed remarkably negative association with neuroticism in women; unadjusted hazard ratio for the highest tertile versus the lowest tertile was 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.73). While the logistic regression coefficients changed 19% after adjustment for age, it changed no more than 19% after adjustment for age and risk factors.

CONCLUSION

While neuroticism was negatively associated with cancer mortality in women, the mediating effect of the risk factors was small.

Personality and the use of cancer screenings. A systematic review

BACKGROUND

No systematic review exists synthesizing studies examining the association between personality factors and use of cancer screenings. Hence, the aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of empirical findings from observational studies investigating the link between personality factors (in terms of agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism and openness to experience) and use of cancer screenings.

METHODS

Medline, PsycInfo and CINAHL were searched using predefined search terms. Observational studies examining the link between personality factors and use of cancer screenings using validated tools were included. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two reviewers.

RESULTS

In total, n = 11 studies were included in our systematic review. There is mostly inconclusive evidence regarding the link between agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experience and the use of cancer screenings. Clearer evidence was identified for an association between increased extraversion and an increased use of cancer screenings. Moreover, the majority of studies identified a link between increased conscientiousness and an increased use of cancer screenings.

DISCUSSION

Studies indicate that personality factors, particularly an increased extraversion and increased conscientiousness, are associated with an increased use of cancer screenings. This knowledge may be beneficial to address individuals at risk for underuse.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020176830.

Living with Metastatic Cancer: A Roadmap for Future Research

Simple Summary

Although people with metastatic cancer are living longer with their disease, they are faced with challenges that can interfere with their quality of life. These challenges include worsening disease, survival time, symptoms, distress, and financial problems. The aim of this review paper is to describe a framework to guide future efforts to address these challenges. The framework includes the risk factors (predisposing factors), triggers (precipitating factors), and responses (perpetuating factors) that contribute to the onset and maintenance of problems in living with metastatic cancer. We conclude by suggesting areas for future work to prevent problems, manage triggers, and reduce unhelpful responses.

Abstract

Living with metastatic cancer, or metavivorship, differs from cancer survivorship and has changed as novel treatments have increased survival time. The purpose of this narrative review is to describe factors that impact challenges in metavivorship within a conceptual framework to guide future research. This review focuses on the specific metavivorship outcomes of progressive disease, survival time, symptoms, distress, financial toxicity, and quality of life. We describe the predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating (3P) model of metavivorship. Understanding the biological, psychological, and social 3P factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of challenges in metavivorship provides a roadmap for future research. Implications of this model include prevention by targeting predisposing factors, management of precipitating factors after onset of metastatic disease, and treatment of perpetuating factors to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life during the chronic phase of metavivorship. This can be accomplished through biopsychosocial screening efforts, monitoring of patient-reported outcomes, education and communication interventions, interdisciplinary symptom management, advance care planning, and behavioral interventions to cultivate psychological resilience.

Religious Attendance and Cancer Screening Behavior

Background: Cancer is one of the most important health problems worldwide. Preventive examinations proved to be effective in tackling that issue, but their degree of utilization is not adequate. Thus, research is making efforts to reveal its determinants. It has been shown that religion is associated with several health outcomes, so the aim of our study is to analyze the association between religious attendance and participation in cancer prevention.

Methods: Data are derived from the fifth wave of the German Aging Survey (DEAS), a nationally representative, prospective cohort study. Participants are community-dwelling Germans aged 40 years and older. Our main independent variable is the frequency of attendance in religious services, and the dependent variable is participation in cancer screening. As covariates, we include factors from all the dimensions of the Andersen behavioral health services utilization model. Multiple logistic regressions were used. In our sensitivity analysis, logistic regressions were performed stratified by religious group (Roman Catholic church, Protestant church, not belonging to any religious group).

Results: Our model shows that attendance in religious services once a week, one to three times a month, several times a year, or less often is significantly associated with an increased likelihood of participating in preventive cancer screening, more than never participating in religious services. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis reveals that all these associations remain significant for the Catholic subsample, but not for the Protestant or the non-religious group.

Discussion: This study finds a link between a higher frequency of attendance in religious services and an increased likelihood of participating in cancer screenings. This is important to address individuals at risk for underuse of cancer screenings.

Personality, Healthcare Use and Costs-A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Thus far, there is a lack of a systematic review synthesizing empirical studies that analyze the link between personality factors and healthcare use (HCU) or costs. Consequently, the purpose of our systematic review is to give an overview of empirical findings from observational studies examining the association between personality factors and HCU or costs.

METHODS

PubMed, PsycINFO, and NHS EED (NHS Economic Evaluation Database) were searched. Observational studies examining the association between personality factors and HCU costs by using validated tools were included. Two reviewers performed study selection and data extraction and evaluated the study quality. Findings were synthesized qualitatively.

RESULTS

In total, n = 15 studies (HCU, n = 14; cost studies, n = 1) were included in the final synthesis. A few studies point to an association between conscientiousness and HCU (with mixed evidence). Some more evidence was found for an association between higher agreeableness, higher extraversion, and higher openness to experience and increased HCU. The majority of studies analyzed found a link between higher neuroticism and increased HCU.

CONCLUSION

Personality factors, and particularly neuroticism, are associated with HCU. This knowledge is important to manage healthcare use. However, future research based on longitudinal data and studies investigating the link between personality characteristics and costs are required.

Psychological and Behavioural Responses to Coronavirus Disease 2019: The Role of Personality

This study examined the associations between personality traits and psychological and behavioural responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Personality was assessed in January/February 2020 when the public was not aware of the spread of coronavirus in the USA. Participants were reassessed in late March 2020 with four sets of questions about the pandemic: concerns, precautions, preparatory behaviours, and duration estimates. The sample consisted of N = 2066 participants (mean age = 51.42; range = 18-98; 48.5% women). Regression models were used to analyse the data with age, gender, education, race, and ethnicity as covariates. Consistent with the preregistered hypotheses, higher neuroticism was related to more concerns and longer duration estimates related to COVID-19, higher extraversion was related to shorter duration estimates, and higher conscientiousness was associated with more precautions. In contrast to the preregistered hypotheses, higher neuroticism was associated with fewer precautions and unrelated to preparatory behaviours. Age moderated several trait-response associations, suggesting that some of the responses were associated more strongly in older adults, a group at risk for complications of COVID-19. For example, older adults high in conscientiousness prepared more. The present findings provide insights into how personality predicts concerns and behaviours related to the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology.

Psychological and Behavioural Responses to Coronavirus Disease 2019: The Role of Personality

This study examined the associations between personality traits and psychological and behavioural responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Personality was assessed in January/February 2020 when the public was not aware of the spread of coronavirus in the USA. Participants were reassessed in late March 2020 with four sets of questions about the pandemic: concerns, precautions, preparatory behaviours, and duration estimates. The sample consisted of N = 2066 participants (mean age = 51.42; range = 18-98; 48.5% women). Regression models were used to analyse the data with age, gender, education, race, and ethnicity as covariates. Consistent with the preregistered hypotheses, higher neuroticism was related to more concerns and longer duration estimates related to COVID-19, higher extraversion was related to shorter duration estimates, and higher conscientiousness was associated with more precautions. In contrast to the preregistered hypotheses, higher neuroticism was associated with fewer precautions and unrelated to preparatory behaviours. Age moderated several trait-response associations, suggesting that some of the responses were associated more strongly in older adults, a group at risk for complications of COVID-19. For example, older adults high in conscientiousness prepared more. The present findings provide insights into how personality predicts concerns and behaviours related to the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology.

Role of neuroticism and extraversion in the emotional health of people with cancer

The impact that cancer disease can have on individuals varies depending, among other things, on their personal characteristics, so it is important to explore aspects such as the personality traits in relation to mental health in people with cancer. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between neuroticism, extraversion and mental health in people with cancer. Besides, this study also explored differences in mental health when combining extraversion and neuroticism levels. One hundred and seventy people who had been diagnosed with different types of cancer (breast cancer, lung, colon, gynaecological cancer and others) composed the sample. Almost all of them (92.9%) had received oncological treatment. The GHQ-12 scale was used to assess the mental health and the 60-item NEO Five-Factor Inventory was applied in order to measure neuroticism and extraversion in participants. A hierarchic lineal regression model was conducted. Neuroticism and extraversion did not show any interaction effect, although a partial mediation was observed in relation to mental health outcomes. Given the significant correlation between neuroticism and extraversion with mental health (r = .59, p < .001; r = −.41, p < .001), both personality traits were combined, resulting in a classification of four different personality profiles (F_(4;165) = 19.85; p < .001). Results in this study have shown that low levels of neuroticism and high levels of extraversion are related to positive health outcomes. They seem to be protective factors with respect to the mental health in people with cancer. The knowledge of the positive effects of these aspects contributes to the comprehension of mental health in the oncological sample, which should be considered in order to design and guide particular therapeutic interventions adapted to each person.

The prediction of cervical cancer screening beliefs based on big five personality traits

Aim

The present study was designed with the aim to predict Pap smear screening beliefs based on Big Five personality traits.

Design

The present cross-sectional study was conducted with 235 women over 18 years of age in Tehran (Iran) in 2018.

Methods

The data collection tools included the demographic information questionnaire, Pap Smear Belief Questionnaire (PSBQ) and the 10-item measure of the Big Five personality traits.

Results

People with Agreeableness personality trait were more faced with risks and Barriers and factors associated with Pap smear screening beliefs; and those with Conscientiousness personality trait were more faced with risks and Barriers. Results of the present study can help to understand how the personality affects decision-making and interactions. Therefore, consequences of counselling about screening beliefs and behavioural changes can be improved by personality-based education.