Can personality feedback improve the process of self-management in cancer? Results from a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

12130 Background: Although personality characteristics predict emotional and physical quality of life in cancer, personality assessments are rarely used to inform care. This study examined whether a personality feedback intervention improved three patient-reported outcomes underlying the process of cancer self-management: 1) self-awareness, 2) self-efficacy for managing symptoms, treatment/medication, and emotions, and 3) positive affect. Methods: A sample of 372 adults with a history of cancer participated in a single-session, pre-post randomized controlled trial via Qualtrics (Control n= 188, Intervention n= 184). The sample was recruited online through ResearchMatch.org and cancer social media sites. Participants completed a baseline survey of demographics, Big Five personality traits, and study outcomes using validated measures. Next, they were immediately randomized to receive either intervention or control materials, followed by a post-test of study outcomes. Intervention participants received a feedback report of their personality results and tailored self-management tips, while control participants received only a general description of the Big Five personality traits. Three general linear models tested between-group differences in changes from baseline to post-test on each outcome, while controlling for baseline scores and demographic and health characteristics. Significance thresholds for all coefficients across all three models were simultaneously adjusted for a false discovery rate of 15%. Intervention participants also responded to a 5-item acceptability scale. Results: Participants were mostly non-Latino/a White (91%), middle-to-older aged ( M= 58.40, SD= 13.56), women (72%), and diagnosed with cancer an average of 6.06 years prior ( SD= 3.91). Compared to controls, intervention participants experienced a greater increase on a composite measure of self-efficacy for illness self-management ( d= 0.32, p=.002), as well as on the individual domain of self-efficacy for managing symptoms ( d= 0.36, p<.001). Contrary to hypotheses, the intervention did not improve self-awareness or positive affect ( ps ≥.132). Intervention participants rated the activity’s acceptability a mean of 3.97 ( SD= 0.68) on a scale from 1 to 5. Conclusions: This was the first study to demonstrate that a personality feedback intervention can improve self-efficacy in the context of managing a chronic illness. Findings call for follow-up studies to test whether these results translate into improved self-management behaviors and quality of life among individuals living with cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT04625439.