Psychological Adaptation in Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Pilot Study Findings

In this pilot study, we examined psychological impacts of colorectal cancer (CRC), focusing on cancer-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CR-PTSD) symptoms, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and their relationship with coping strategies in surgically treated CRC patients.

This prospective pre- and postoperative pilot study assessed CRC patients at 2 time points, pre- and postoperative. Psychological symptoms were evaluated using the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (PCL-5) and the PTG Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF). Coping strategies were assessed using the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) instrument. Changes in CR-PTSD, PTG, and coping strategies from pre- and postoperative were analyzed using paired t tests and mixed-effects linear regression.

Among the 23 participants, significant changes were observed in problem-focused coping (mean: pre = 25.2, post = 28.4; P = .01) as well as in the Relating to Others and Appreciation of Life dimensions of PTG from pre- to postoperative (mean: pre = 14.2; post = 20.2; P = .01). In contrast, CR-PTSD symptomatology was low at baseline and did not change after surgery (mean: pre = 6.0; post = 5.0; P = .17). Regression analysis further highlighted the differential influence of coping strategies on PTG over time, with problem-focused coping significantly associated with Relating to Others (β = 0.89; P = .001) and Personal Strength (β = 0.34; P = .002).

We found that problem-focused coping was related to greater PTG in CRC patients, while CR-PTSD symptoms remained low and stable. Findings are exploratory and highlight coping strategies as a potential area for further research in CRC survivorship.