University Archives

This pilot study tested associations between dimensions of dependency personality and the doctor-patient relationship in patients undergoing treatment for a variety of cancers. A total of 50 patients (64% women, 84% Caucasian, 42% bachelor’s degree, 60% family income < 60k) completed the Relationship Profile Test (RPT; Bornstein & Languirand, 2003). The RPT rates three areas of dependency on a 7-point Likert scale, Destructive Overdependence (OD), Dysfunctional Detachment (DD), and Healthy Dependency (HD).  Patients also completed Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ; Van der Feltz-Cornelis et al., 2004). The PDRQ is a 9-item questionnaire rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Higher scores represent greater satisfaction with your physician. Results suggested a significant association between DD and low PDRQ scores. These preliminary findings highlight the potential relevance of dependency personality styles in shaping doctor-patient relationship satisfaction. Future studies with larger and more diverse samples are needed to clarify the strength and direction of these associations and their implications for doctor-patient relationships in oncology care.