Narrative reconstruction and embodiment in the Desert Journey program for young adult cancer survivors

Young adults diagnosed with cancer face complex challenges related to identity, body perception, and psychosocial adjustment during survivorship. Nature-based rehabilitation programs have been proposed as potential supportive interventions, yet little is known about how participants construct meaning from these experiences. This study explored how young adult cancer survivors narrated the impact of participation in the Desert Journey program, a multi-day desert trek for young adults coping with cancer.

In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 young adult cancer survivors after participating in the program. Data were analyzed through a dual analytic strategy combining narrative analysis to reconstruct individual accounts as evolving plots and cross-narrative thematic analysis to identify shared patterns of change.

Three interconnected themes emerged: (1) the body that tells a story-a shift from experiencing the body as fragile and medically controlled to perceiving it as resilient and capable; (2) rewriting identity-movement from a survival-focused self-definition toward renewed authenticity and belonging; (3) the day after-varying experiences of integrating journey insights into everyday life, with some participants sustaining personal growth and others reporting challenges maintaining changes without continued support.

Nature-based group programs may provide an important context for psychosocial recovery among young adult cancer survivors. The findings highlight the potential value of such interventions within supportive cancer care and emphasize the importance of ongoing psychosocial and peer support to sustain their benefits.