Locus of control, personality and depression symptoms in cancer: Testing a moderated mediation model.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mediator role of locus of control on the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and the manifestation of depression symptoms in cancer outpatients.

METHOD

Participants consisted of 220 cancer outpatients (138 women and 82 men), evaluated individually at the hospital waiting room. The measures applied were as follows: The NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

RESULTS

The factor structure of NEO-FFI was reexamined. A moderated mediation model was found for the powerful others external locus of control (LOC), depression symptoms and extraversion and conscientiousness traits across sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Extraverted individuals can seek for others' support and use their attachments to find someone to guide them; conscientious patients can rely on their physician and follow every rule and orientation demanded, temporarily delegating to others the responsibility for their lives. All these strategies can help to decrease symptoms of depression. The perception of control can be taught, and it may be specifically relevant for mental health and in the performance of health behaviours.