The Relationship Among Personality, Hope and Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients

Jo, Kae-Hwa

The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education 2004;10(1):115-124.
Published online December 31, 2004.

Jo, Kae-Hwa;

Department of Nursing, Catholic University of Daegu

유방암 환자의 성격특성, 희망 및 삶의 질의 관련성

조계화

대구가톨릭대학교 의과대학 간호학과

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship among personality characteristics, hope and quality of life(QOL) of breast cancer patients. The subjects of the study were the 113 breast cancer patients treated at 3 university hospitals in Daegu and Busan from June 1 to Sep. 30, 2003. Personality characteristics was measured by using Personality Inventory(NEO-PI), hope measured by using Nowotny's Hope Scale, and QOL by using a questionnaire developed by Ro(1988). Data were analyzed with SPSS program by frequency, range, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. The findings of this survey indicate 1) The mean personality characteristics item score was 2.64, hope was 2.78, and QOL was 3.19. It appeared that there was a slightly negative tendency about personality characteristics, hope and QOL of breast cancer patients. 2) There was a significant difference between personality characteristics, hope and QOL according to demographic factor. 3) There was a positive correlation between personality characteristics and hope(r=.49), hope and QOL(r=.377). Among subitem of hope and QOL especially confident, possibility of future, active participation, inner motivation and self esteem were positively correlated with personality characteristics especially extroversion, openness and conscientiousness. 4) There was a negative correlation between neuroticism and relation with neighbor(r=-.452), neuroticism and relation with family(r=-.344). It was found that personality characteristics, hope and QOL were essential concept for qualitive care of breast cancer patients and there were negative correlation with neuroticism toward relation with neighbor and relation with family. This study suggests that there would be further study to find out the importance and relationship among personality characteristics, hope and QOL of breast cancer patients.

Key Words: Personality, Hope, Quality of life