Type C Personality: Main Characteristics

Showing the influence of psychological aspects in the appearance and development of cancer has become very important nowadays. There are many studies related to stress and personality traits. Speaking of the latter, Morris and Greer’s studies led to the mention of type C personality for the first time.

According to these authors, type C individuals cannot handle stress or anger adequately. In addition, the people who do not express their negative emotions are particularly good (aggression, anger, rage, etc.). Furthermore, psychologists have discovered that there are many more characteristics that complete the profile.

Type C personality compared to type B and type A personalities

People with type A personality are competitive people. Their adaptability makes them seem like aggressive individuals in their struggle for success. They often take leadership positions.

In this regard, these people can not stand to be passive and fill their time with as many activities as possible. Friedman and Rosenman coined this term, referring to a personality type related to high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia and myocardial infarction.

On the other hand, people with type B personality are usually calm, confident and open to emotions, even the unpleasant ones. Generally speaking, this personality type is related to better emotional balance, which is why many people see it as the healthiest type.

Finally, type C personality is characterized by a cooperative, complacent, conformist, perfectionist and hardworking behavior. People with this personality avoid conflict no matter what and seek harmony.

They are also people who do not show weakness and do not express negative emotions. They often use inhibition, denial, emotional oppression, and self-attack as defense mechanisms.

What is the relationship between type C personality and cancer?

Interest in studying patterns in a type C personality has grown due to some cancer-related facts:

• In 80% of cancer cases, there is a link between consumption habits, such as smoking or diet, and the onset or development of this disease. It is therefore the case that by controlling risky habits and giving people a healthier lifestyle one could save many lives.

• Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) studies have revealed the influence of stress and emotions on the prognosis of the disease. In addition, they can also predict the survival of cancer patients.
• People with greater negative emotional repression are more prone to suffer from a type of neoplasia.

Therefore, psychological factors such as type C personality may have a direct or indirect influence on the development of cancer. So identifying personality traits in people with cancer can tell us and anticipate their strategies for dealing with it.

This gives a role to the psychology in the identification of certain personality types. With this identification, they can anticipate what circumstances these individuals may develop a self-sufficient behavior. As a result, patients may develop healthier behavior patterns, both physically and psychologically.

In addition, these findings may help us to develop primary prevention strategies. They can reduce the risk of developing this disease in healthy people with type C personality and also help those who have already developed it and are in treatment.

At the same time, it is important to recognize the work that is being done in psycho-oncology. Giving patients constant guidance will prevent confusion, lack of acceptance and other psychological changes that are not beneficial to their recovery.