Personality Traits, Emotional Intelligence, and Sexual Functioning in Women With Metastatic and Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Comparative Study

Background and aims: Psychological and functional aspects, such as personality traits, emotional intelligence (EI), and sexual functioning, are critical yet often overlooked in women with breast cancer (BC). Thus, this study compared these variables between metastatic and non-metastatic patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۱۵۰ young married women diagnosed with BC (metastatic and non-metastatic) were recruited from Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital in Tehran in ۲۰۲۴ through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (۱۹۹۲), Bar-On Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (۲۰۰۳), and Female Sexual Function Index (۲۰۰۰). Statistical analysis was conducted in SPSS ۲۷ using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance, and independent t-tests. Results: Univariate ANOVAs revealed significant differences between groups in personality traits: neuroticism (F (۱,۱۴۸)=۵.۶۸, P=۰.۰۱۸, η²=۰.۰۳۷), extraversion (F (۱,۱۴۸)=۲۶.۱۷, P<۰.۰۰۱, η²=۰.۱۵۰), and conscientiousness (F (۱,۱۴۸)=۱۰.۴۵, P=۰.۰۰۲, η²=۰.۰۶۶), with non-metastatic patients scoring higher in extraversion and conscientiousness. Similarly, significant differences were found in interpersonal skills (F (۱,۱۴۸)=۴۰.۶۴, P<۰.۰۰۱, η²=۰.۲۱۵) and sexual functioning, including arousal (F (۱,۱۴۸)=۵۱.۶۱, P<۰.۰۰۱, η²=۰.۲۵۹) and satisfaction (F (۱,۱۴۸)=۵۳.۰۵, P<۰.۰۰۱, η²=۰.۲۶۴), with non-metastatic patients reporting higher scores. Conclusion: It was revealed that disease stage in BC correlates with distinct psychological and sexual health profiles. Accordingly, integrating psychosocial interventions into oncology care for metastatic patients may enhance emotional well-being and quality of life.