Role of Mediating Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies and Goal Adjustment in Relationship between Personality Characteristics and Quality of Life of Patients with Cancer

Abstract

Background: The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the mediating roles of the cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERS) and goal adjustment in relationship between personality characteristics and quality of life of patients with cancer. Methods: The method of this study was a descriptive-explanatory one. The population of the study consisted of patients with cancer referred to 4 health care centers. A total of 156 people (males: 49, females:107) were selected by convenience sampling and they completed the Persian scales of the cognitive emotion regulation, goals adjustment, short-form of 5 personality factors and the world health organization quality of life. Results: The general characteristics of the pattern test suggested a lack of fit of the initial model proposed by the researchers. In order to find a better fit, several corrections were made based on the theoretical and experimental principles and general indicators from testing the initial model (χ2 = 129.71, df (degree of freedom) = 98, RMSEA (root mean square error of approximation) = 0.082, GFI (goodness of fit index) = 0.87, AGFI (adjusted goodness of fit index) = 0.82). According to this model, the extroversion and neuroticism variables, respectively, have positive and negative direct effects on the quality of life of patients with cancer. Also, extroversion has a positive indirect effect due to the adaptive strategies of CERS and goal adjustment, and the neuroticism variable has indirect negative effects on the quality of life of these patients due to the adaptive strategies of CERS and goal adjustment (P > 0.00). Conclusions: Considering the results, that 2 major factors affecting the quality of life of patients with cancer are goal adjustment and CERS; this relationship should be taken into account in the training for treatment programs involving CERS and especially adaptive strategies as well as goal adjustment. © 2017, Cancer Research Center (CRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.