The Dynamic Nature of Family Resilience Among Patients With Lung Cancer: A Qualitative Study

To explore the dynamic nature of family resilience among patients with lung cancer and the interactions among its core themes during adaptation.

15 patients with lung cancer were purposively recruited from the Lung Cancer Center at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from June to October 2023.

A descriptive phenomenologic approach was used. Face-to-face semistructured interviews were informed by Walsh's family resilience framework. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed in Chinese using Colaizzi's seven-step method with NVivo, version 11.0. Data saturation was reached after 15 interviews.

Three interrelated themes of family resilience were identified-family belief system, organizational patterns, and communication and problem-solving-comprising 10 subthemes. Family attachment, family cohesion, and open expression contributed to the dynamic interactions among these domains and supported family adaptation.

Nurses can assess family strengths and vulnerabilities across these themes and provide tailored family-oriented interventions that promote psychological recovery, mobilize family and social resources, and facilitate open, patient-centered communication.