Host moderator variables in the promotion of cervical neoplasia--I. Personality facets.

Recent work has established an association between coping style (in interaction with psychosocial stress) and the degree of promotion of cervical carcinogenesis. The present study sought to expand upon these findings by attempting to identify psychosocial host variables which predicted susceptibility (greater promotion) vs resilience (less promotion) in women who were at risk due to the presence of initiating factors. A susceptible group were passive, pessimistic, conforming, avoiding, and somatically anxious, while a resilient group were more optimistic and employed more active coping styles. Results supported the notion that promotion of cervical carcinogenesis may be associated with specific host personality and coping styles.