Personality Traits and Adherence in Head and Neck Cancer Patients—Considerations in Treatment

Abstract

Head and neck cancer is a complicated medical condition that results in multiple physical and functional changes (e.g., dysphagia, speech alterations) that leave patients with a poorer quality of life. Many of these symptoms may be effectively reduced through interventions offered by speech language pathologists (SLPs), unfortunately adherence to these treatment recommendations remains low. Personality traits are the characteristics that make each individual unique and play a key role in determining how a person thinks about their life experiences (e.g., a diagnosis of cancer), and the coping strategies that a person uses to manage stressful situations. An awareness of personality traits, illness beliefs, and coping styles can assist SLPs in tailoring interventions and supporting adherence to treatment recommendations.