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Knauer K, Bach A, Schäffeler N, Stengel A, Graf J. Personality Traits and Coping Strategies Relevant to Posttraumatic Growth in Patients with Cancer and Survivors: A Systematic Literature Review. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:9593-9612. [PMID: 36547168 PMCID: PMC9776882 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29120754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The possibility of positive psychological changes after cancer, namely, posttraumatic growth, is a growing field of research. Identifying personality traits and coping strategies related to posttraumatic growth may help find vulnerable individuals as well as promote helpful coping strategies to help more patients make positive changes at an early stage. The aim of this systematic literature review is to provide an overview of the quantitative data on coping strategies and personality traits associated with posttraumatic growth in patients with cancer and cancer survivors as well as the methods used in included studies. A systematic literature search was conducted using five databases (PubMed, PubPsych, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and PSYNDEXplus). The 70 reports of included studies assessed posttraumatic growth using questionnaires in a sample of patients with cancer or survivors. In addition, associations with a personality trait or coping strategy had to be examined cross-sectionally or longitudinally. All 1698 articles were screened for titles and abstracts by two authors, after which disputed articles were reviewed by a third author. Afterwards, articles were screened for full texts. Most studies had a cross-sectional design and used a sample of patients with breast cancer. Coping strategies have been researched more than personality factors. The personality traits of resilience, hardiness, dispositional positive affectivity, and dispositional gratitude seem to be related to posttraumatic growth, while the Big Five personality traits (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism) have been less researched and/or seem to be unrelated. The use of social support, religious coping, positive reframing, and reflection during illness as coping strategies seems to be related to posttraumatic growth. The findings can be used for the development of interventions. Future studies should investigate associations longitudinally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Knauer
- Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Tübingen-Stuttgart, Section Psychooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72070 Tübingen, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Anne Bach
- Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Tübingen-Stuttgart, Section Psychooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72070 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Norbert Schäffeler
- Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Tübingen-Stuttgart, Section Psychooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72070 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Stengel
- Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Tübingen-Stuttgart, Section Psychooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72070 Tübingen, Germany
- Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Graf
- Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Tübingen-Stuttgart, Section Psychooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72070 Tübingen, Germany
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