title: [Eysenck's personality dimensions (MPI) in breast and lung cancer patients and their relationship to patients' delay (author's transl)].
abstract: In 1148 control persons and 498 cancer patients, the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI), developed by H. J. Eysenck, was used to determine the personality dimensions neuroticism (N) and extraversion (E). The results in the control group were similar to studies in other countries showing that the MPI is a useful instrument for psychometry in the G.D.R., too. Personality scores depend upon sex, age and social group (defined by education and occupation). Cancer patients generally do not differ from non-cancerous patients (so-called "controls"). In patients with breast cancer (female N = 231) or lung cancer (male N = 123), it was found that patients consulting the doctor without delay after onset of symptoms (breast cancer < 4 weeks; lung cancer < 8 weeks) are characterized by low scores for neuroticism (N) and high scores for extraversion (E). The combination of low N (--12) and high E (13 +) is significantly more prevalent in patients seeking medical advice without delay. It is suggested that these observations which are in agreement with reports from other countries and observers should be used in planning health education. Obviously it is not enough to disseminate factual information on cancer but it seems necessary to develop means and methods to reach people with low education, high scores for neuroticism and for introversion in order to influence their health behavior by personal discussion.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010555:Personality Inventory
vernacular_title: Persönlichkeitsstruktur nach Eysenck bei Kranken mit Brustdrüsen- und Bronchialkrebs und Diagnoseverzögerung durch den Patienten.