Resilience and related factors in colorectal cancer patients: A systematic review

To explore resilience and its related factors in adult colorectal cancer patients.

Three databases (CINAHL, Scopus and PubMed) were searched for literature published from January 2009 to February 2021 using the terms colorectal and resilience or resilient or resiliency. The review was registered with PROSPERO and followed the PRISMA statement guidelines.

The studies (n = 11) showed that most colorectal cancer patients exhibit moderate levels of resilience. Resilience was identified as a mediator in the positive or negative aspects of illness, while three studies investigated resilience as an outcome variable. Resilience was associated with social support, mental and physical burden, post-traumatic growth, hope, and quality of life. The studies showed that resilience might not be an immutable situation; social support seemed to provide patients the tools necessary for managing their illness, as well as helped them confront future events. The interventions designed to help with self-care issues and coping strategies eased a patient's mental and physical burden, and improved resilience.

Resilience among colorectal cancer patients was connected to both negative and positive aspects of the illness. Psychosocial and illness-related practical support might be key for strengthening resilience in these patients. However, longitudinal and intervention studies are required to confirm these indications. Research should study resilience as an outcome variable and provide information related to resilience at different phases of cancer, and what type of support is offered by professionals.