Resilience in Cancer Patients
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 when confro...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2019-04-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00208/full |
| _version_ | 1818470996239187968 |
|---|---|
| author | Annina Seiler Josef Jenewein Josef Jenewein |
| author_facet | Annina Seiler Josef Jenewein Josef Jenewein |
| author_sort | Annina Seiler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 when confronted with stressful life events and adversities. Posttraumatic growth (PTG) can be defined as positive life changes that result from major life crises or stressful events.Objectives: The aims of this study were to 1) investigate which factors can strengthen or weaken resilience and PTG in cancer patients and survivors; 2) explore the relationship between resilience and PTG, and mental health outcomes; and 3) 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 from inception until 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 developed.Conclusions: The cancer experience is associated with positive and negative life changes. Resilience and PTG are quantifiable and can be modified through psychological and pharmacological interventions. Promoting resilience and PTG should be a critical component of cancer care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T21:45:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-150f76c43cb34eb4a1332bd6b690e52a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T21:45:05Z |
| publishDate | 2019-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-150f76c43cb34eb4a1332bd6b690e52a2022-12-22T02:28:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402019-04-011010.3389/fpsyt.2019.00208409247Resilience in Cancer PatientsAnnina Seiler0Josef Jenewein1Josef Jenewein2Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandClinic Zugersee, Center for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Oberwil-Zug, SwitzerlandBackground: 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 when confronted with stressful life events and adversities. Posttraumatic growth (PTG) can be defined as positive life changes that result from major life crises or stressful events.Objectives: The aims of this study were to 1) investigate which factors can strengthen or weaken resilience and PTG in cancer patients and survivors; 2) explore the relationship between resilience and PTG, and mental health outcomes; and 3) 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 from inception until 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 developed.Conclusions: The cancer experience is associated with positive and negative life changes. Resilience and PTG are quantifiable and can be modified through psychological and pharmacological interventions. Promoting resilience and PTG should be a critical component of cancer care.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00208/fullcancerresiliencecopingsocial supportdistressposttraumatic growth |
| spellingShingle | Annina Seiler Josef Jenewein Josef Jenewein Resilience in Cancer Patients Frontiers in Psychiatry cancer resilience coping social support distress posttraumatic growth |
| title | Resilience in Cancer Patients |
| title_full | Resilience in Cancer Patients |
| title_fullStr | Resilience in Cancer Patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | Resilience in Cancer Patients |
| title_short | Resilience in Cancer Patients |
| title_sort | resilience in cancer patients |
| topic | cancer resilience coping social support distress posttraumatic growth |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00208/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anninaseiler resilienceincancerpatients AT josefjenewein resilienceincancerpatients AT josefjenewein resilienceincancerpatients |