An Investigation of Personality Types in Male and Female Cancer Patients (A Case Study in Isfahan, Iran)

<p>Abstract: Present study is an investigation of different personality traits in cancer patients who came to Saba Clinic in Esfahan, Iran during 2013-2014. It is an applied descriptive survey research. Participants were 60 cancer patients of Saba clinic in Esfahan, Iran, 30 male and 30 female. Sampling was done using stratified method. Using Strong Vocational Interest Blank, one can measure the extent of six personality traits (i.e. conventional, investigative, enterprising, social, artistic and realistic). Independent t-test and descriptive indexes were using for analyzing data and for decoding the most prevalent personality trait in cancer patients, Friedman Test was used. Results showed that average age for cancer male patients was 49.1 (mean: 52) and for females was 42.4 (mean: 39). Most of patients had associate degree or less. A significant difference was observed between artistic, enterprising, social and investigative male patients and the same ones in female group. No meaningful difference was detected between conventional-investigative personality traits in cancer male and female patients. It was observed that the number of artistic, social and investigative personality traits was more among female cancer patients and number of social, realistic and enterprising personality traits was more among male patients. Data, also, showed that social personality, comparing other personality traits, was more prevalent in male cancer patients and social and artistic personality traits, comparing other personality traits, were similarly more prevalent in female cancer patients.<br>Keywords: personality traits, cancer, male and female patience