Over the last decade, more and more focus has been placed upon the psychological adjustment of patients who have undergone bone marrow transplants (BMT). There have been studies that focused on the coping styles and levels of psychological distress in patients immediately after transplantation. Studies have been done based on a specific point during the process or at multiple points throughout the course of the procedure and still other studies have focused on assessment points several months post transplant. However, very little attention has been focused on patients' psychological functioning prior to transplantation. The purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship between personality traits and coping styles among patients awaiting BMT.