ILLNESS PERCEPTION, PERSONSALITY TRAITS AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AS PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS

Abstract

This study examined illness perception, personality traits and perceived social support as positive predictors of psychological distress among prostate cancer patients. Fifty-one (51) outpatients of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra State were selected for the study through total population sampling technique. Their age ranged between 59 to 86 years, with a mean age of 73.69 And standard deviation of 4.70. Four sets of instrument were used for the study and they include Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Illness Perception Questionnaire Revised (IPQ-R), Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Multiple Linear Regression was used to test the three hypotheses postulated. Result showed illness perception was a positive predictor of psychological distress β = .554, t(51) = 5.883, p>.05. In the second hypothesis only neuroticism was a positive predictor of psychological β = .462 t(51) = 4.618, p<.05; while other personality traits of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness were rejected. Finally, the third hypothesis was rejected because social support was not a positive predictor of psychological distress. In line with the findings, the study recommended that clinicians should always consider patient’s illness perception when rendering treatment. Secondly, psychological therapies should always be encouraged for patients with traits of neuroticism to have a complete tailored treatment with positive outcome.
Keywords: Prostate Cancer, Illness Perception, Personality Traits, Perceived Social Support, Psychological Distress.