Turning the tide: benefit finding after cancer surgery

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Oncology
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Post-traumatic growth and benefit finding are increasingly studied in relation to adverse life events.
• Cancer diagnosis and treatment represent significant adverse life events impacting patients' well-being.
• Understanding factors influencing positive adaptation is crucial for patient recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine personal and social resources in cancer patients.
• To investigate the perception of positive life changes (benefit finding) following cancer.
• To explore the mediating role of coping strategies in this process.

Main Methods:

• 105 cancer patients were assessed 1 month post-surgery for social support and self-efficacy.
• Coping strategies (acceptance, social comparison) were measured 6 months post-surgery.
• Benefit finding was assessed 12 months post-surgery.
• Correlational and path analyses were employed.

Main Results:

• Personal resources (self-efficacy) and social resources (received social support) were linked to benefit finding.
• The effect of self-efficacy on benefit finding was mediated by coping strategies.
• Social support maintained a direct positive association with benefit finding.

Conclusions:

• Personal and social resources predict recovery and adjustment in cancer patients.
• Coping strategies play a mediating role in the relationship between resources and benefit finding.
• Findings contribute to the understanding of post-traumatic growth in the context of cancer.