BMC Psychology

Do women’s personality traits influence their beliefs about cervical cancer screening: a descriptive-correlational study in a sample from Türkiye

Individuals' participation in preventive health practices may influenced by a variety of factors, including personality traits. This study aims to examine the relationship between women's personality traits and their health beliefs about cervical cancer and the Pap smear test. This descriptive and correlational study involved 291 women from a vocational training center in Türkiye who met the criteria and consented to participate. Data were collected between August 20 and September 30, 2021 using the Personal Information Form, the Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test Health Belief Model Scale and the Five-Factor Personality Scale. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test, One-Way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and chi-square tests. The results demonstrated significant associations between women's personality traits and their health beliefs. Extraversion showed positive correlations with perceived benefits (r = 0.267, p < 0.01), perceived barriers (r = 0.159, p < 0.01), seriousness (r = 0.213, p < 0.01), sensitivity (r = 0.219, p < 0.01), and health motivation (r = 0.190, p < 0.01). Similarly, agreeableness was significantly related to perceived benefits (r = 0.186, p < 0.01), barriers (r = 0.168, p < 0.01), seriousness (r = 0.245, p < 0.01), sensitivity (r = 0.191, p < 0.01), and health motivation (r = 0.061, p < 0.05). Self-control was linked to increased perceptions of benefits (r = 0.192, p < 0.01), seriousness (r = 0.180, p < 0.01), and sensitivity (r = 0.116, p < 0.05). Neuroticism also showed significant positive relationships with perceived benefits (r = 0.206, p < 0.01), seriousness (r = 0.217, p < 0.01), and sensitivity (r = 0.148, p < 0.05). Additionally, openness to experience was positively correlated with perceived benefits (r = 0.183, p < 0.01), seriousness (r = 0.137, p < 0.05), and health motivation (r = 0.152, p < 0.01). These findings highlight the importance of personality traits in shaping women's health beliefs regarding cervical cancer and screening behaviors. To improve preventive health practices and screening participation, health interventions should consider individual personality traits alongside health attitudes and beliefs.

The mediating role of medical coping modes between anxiety and fear of progression in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3: a cross-sectional survey

Fear of progression (FOP) is a significant psychological burden among patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) and negatively impacts their mental health and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of medical coping modes in the relationship between anxiety and FOP in these patients. This cross-sectional study included 168 patients with CIN3 from a university hospital in Nantong, China. The participants completed the FOP questionnaire, the self-rating anxiety (SAS) scale, and the medical coping modes questionnaire (MCMQ). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the mediating effects of medical coping modes (confrontation, avoidance, and resignation) on the relationship between anxiety and FOP. This study conducted an in-depth questionnaire survey and analysis of 168 patients with grade 3 CIN. The results revealed elevated scores on both the SAS and FOP scale, with 58.3% of patients exhibiting clinically significant FOP scores. With respect to medical coping styles, correlation analysis revealed that anxiety was significantly positively correlated with avoidance, resignation coping styles, and FOP scores (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed trends toward significant differences in FOP scores based on disease duration and family history of cervical cancer. Multivariate logistic regression further confirmed that anxiety level (SAS) (OR = 1.11), avoidance coping (OR = 1.17), and resignation coping (OR = 1.26) were independent predictors of FOP (P < 0.05). Stratified analysis reinforced the stable associations between these predictors and FOP across different disease characteristics. The results of the mediation analysis revealed that resignation coping partially mediated the relationship between anxiety and FOP, whereas avoidance coping had no significant mediating effect. Finally, structural equation modeling validated the indirect pathway through which anxiety influences FOP through resignation coping. Anxiety, avoidance, and resignation coping are significant predictors of FOP in patients with CIN3. Resignation coping plays a crucial mediating role in the relationship between anxiety and FOP. These findings suggest that targeted interventions addressing resignation coping may help reduce FOP and improve psychological well-being in these patients. Future research should explore longitudinal designs and culturally tailored interventions to further understand and mitigate FOP in this population.