Resilience in Cancer Patients

作者：Annina Seiler, Josef Jenewein · 发表于：Frontiers in Psychiatry · 年份：2019 · 被引用次数：474 · 研究领域：Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life、Resilience and Mental Health、Optimism, Hope, and Well-being

Background: Being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing its treatment are associated with substantial distress that can cause long-lasting negative psychological outcomes. Resilience is an individual’s ability to maintain or restore relatively-stable psychological and physical functioning in the face of stress and adversities. Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is characterized by positive life changes resulting from major life crises or stressful events. Objectives: (1) to investigate which factors can strengthen or weaken resilience and PTG in cancer patients and survivors; (2) to explore the relationship between resilience and PTG, and mental health outcomes; and (3) to discuss the impact and clinical implications of resilience and PTG on the process of recovery from cancer. Methods: A literature search was conducted, restricted to PubMed through May 2018, utilizing the following key words: cancer, cancer patients, cancer survivors, resilience, posttraumatic growth, coping, social support, and distress. Results: Biological, personal, and most importantly social factors contribute to cancer patients’ resilience and, consequently, to favorable psychological and treatment-related outcomes. PTG is an important phenomenon in the adjustment to cancer. From the literature included in this review, a model of resilience and PTG in cancer patients and survivors was designed. Conclusions: The cancer experience is associated with positive and negative life changes. Resilience and PTG are quant...