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Patient–oncologist working alliance and its relation to locus of control

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 October 2022

Sivan Levi ,
Henny Amir ,
Gil Goldzweig Open the ORCID record for Gil Goldzweig [Opens in a new window] ,
Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon Open the ORCID record for Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon [Opens in a new window]  and
Michal Braun Open the ORCID record for Michal Braun [Opens in a new window]
Sivan Levi
Affiliation:
School of Behavioral Sciences, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Henny Amir
Affiliation:
School of Behavioral Sciences, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Gil Goldzweig
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
Michal Braun*
Affiliation:
School of Behavioral Sciences, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel Breast Oncology Unit, Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
*
Author for correspondence: Michal Braun, School of Behavioral Sciences, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv-Yaffo 61083, Israel; Breast Oncology Unit, Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. Email: bmichalpsy@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objectives

In this study, we assessed the patient–oncologist relationship, conceptualized as the working alliance from a dyadic perspective, and its relation to locus of control.

Methods

One hundred and three oncologist–patient dyads were recruited. Measures included a sociodemographic and medical questionnaire; the “internal, powerful others, and chance” locus of control scale; and the working alliance inventory.

Results

Application of the actor–partner interdependence model yielded 2 actor effects: a positive association between oncologist “internal” locus of control and oncologist working alliance, and a negative association between oncologist “chance” locus of control and oncologist working alliance. It also yielded one partner effect: a positive association between oncologist “internal” locus of control and patient working alliance.

Significance of results

The actor–partner effect suggests that oncologists’ locus of control has a role in the establishment of the patient–oncologist working alliance; oncologists’ internal locus of control is a dominant factor affecting not only their own perceived alliance but patients’ perceived alliance as well.

Keywords

Working allianceCancerOncologyPatient–oncologist relationshipLocus of control
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , February 2024 , pp. 41 - 48
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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