Repressive adaptation in children with cancer

The constructs of repressive adaptive style and avoidant coping (blunting) were assessed as possible explanatory factors for previously reported findings of fewer self-reported depression in children with cancer. Pediatric oncology patients 7-16 years old (n = 107) and healthy control participants (n = 442) completed measures of depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, defensiveness, and approach and avoidant coping. Oncology patients scored significantly lower on measures of depression and trait anxiety, and higher on defensiveness. Applying the adaptive style paradigm, the oncology group showed a significant excess of repressors. Depressive symptoms differed as a function of adaptive style, with repressors demonstrating the lowest levels of self-reported depression. Children with cancer also reported greater use of blunting, but this difference was small and appeared unrelated to depression scores. Within the cancer group, repressive adaptation was unrelated to time elapsed since diagnosis. These findings are discussed with reference to the ongoing controversy regarding cancer-personality style associations.