Unmet supportive care needs of patients with colorectal cancer: significant differences by type D personality.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore the association between supportive care needs and type D personality, and to identify personality traits, including negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI), and their influence on the supportive care needs of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). DESIGN Cross-sectional, correlational survey. SETTING Oncology and surgical outpatient clinics at a medical center in northern Taiwan. SAMPLE 277 patients diagnosed with CRC. METHODS Data were collected using a set of structured questionnaires to measure supportive care needs, symptom distress, anxiety, depression, and personality traits. The associations between type D personality and supportive care needs were verified by the Mann-Whitney U test. The significant roles of personality traits were identified by generalized estimating equations, controlling for biophysical and psychological factors overall, and for the five supportive care domains. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Supportive care needs, type D personality. FINDINGS Patients with CRC reported the most unmet needs in the health system and the information domain. Type D patients had higher needs overall and in most domains, except for sexuality needs. A higher level of NA indicated higher overall and psychological needs. A higher level of SI indicated lower needs in health system and information. CONCLUSIONS The level of unmet supportive care needs of patients with CRC is highly associated with type D personality. The trait of NA alters levels of overall supportive care and psychological needs, and the trait of SI influences needs in health system and information. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Assessing personality traits before providing an education program is highly recommended for patients with cancer. The assessment could improve the quality of personalized education programs and better meet patient needs.