Psychological characteristics of cancer patients who use complementary therapies

There has been considerable research on the prevalence and demographic profile of cancer patients who opt to supplement conventional therapies with the use of complementary therapy. There is rather less information on the personality and adjustment variables associated with the decision to use complementary therapy. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the use of complementary therapies by cancer patients and their mental adjustment to cancer, recovery locus of control, life orientation and psychopathology. Two groups were drawn from a regional centre which provides both conventional and complementary cancer treatments. Participants in Group 1 (n = 61) opted for complementary therapies in addition to conventional treatments for cancer, while participants in Group 2 (n = 56), chose conventional treatment only. All participants completed the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (MAC), the Recovery Locus of Control Scale (RLOC), the life orientation test (LOT), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Information regarding demographic details and patients' motivation for the use of complementary therapy was also collected. Those people who chose complementary therapy demonstrated a mental adjustment to cancer which is characterised by significantly higher levels of fighting spirit and anxious preoccupation. This group had also a higher internal recovery locus of control than those receiving conventional treatment alone. There were no significant differences between the groups on life orientation or psychopathology. The findings of this study do not support the argument that the use of complementary therapy is associated with higher levels of psychopathology and distress. However, the data do indicate that for some patients the use of complementary therapy fulfils an important psychological need. The finding that psychosocial variables like fighting spirit and locus of control may impact on an individual's therapeutic choice can assist clinicians in tailoring interventions to personality and adjustment characteristics.