PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between quality of life (QOL) and 
type D personality, which is characterized by the traits of negative affectivity 
and social inhibition, and to further identify impacts of these traits after 
controlling for biophysical and psychological factors in colorectal cancer 
survivors.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional and correlational.
SETTING: Oncology and surgical outpatient clinics of a medical center in Taiwan.
SAMPLE: 124 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who had completed active 
treatment.
METHODS: Data were collected using a set of structured questionnaires to explore 
type D personality, biophysical and psychological factors, and QOL. Their 
associations were verified with Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rho 
correlation. Significant factors associated with QOL were identified with 
generalized estimating equations.
MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Type D personality and QOL.
FINDINGS: Patients with type D personality experienced higher physical and 
psychological distress than those with non-type D personality. Social inhibition 
remained an important factor leading to impairment in the mental component of 
QOL after controlling for other associated factors. Negative affectivity was 
associated with fatigue intensity and interference of fatigue with life 
activities.
CONCLUSIONS: Personality trait was found to be an important factor associated 
with QOL. The trait of social inhibition was a significant factor influencing 
mental aspects of QOL, whereas negative affectivity was associated with fatigue.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Assessing patients' personality, including negative 
affectivity and social inhibition, could help nurses to develop supportive 
groups or social networks for these patients and thereby improve QOL for cancer 
survivors.