Aims
Resilience is a key factor in response to adversity experienced by adults with colorectal cancer. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of resilience and underlying mechanisms that facilitate individuals' psychosocial adaptations to their illness.
Methods
This exploratory qualitative study was performed as a part of a project aimed at exploring the meaning of individual resilience in adult cancer care. Twelve participants living with colorectal cancer that had completed treatment were recruited. The characteristics of resilience were captured through in-depth individual semi-structured interviews. Following thematic analysis, the underlying relationships among these characteristics were explored, and a model depicting the psychosocial adaptation process was developed.
Results
Five characteristics of resilience that facilitate participants’ adaptation to their illness were identified and included in the model. When facing a cancer diagnosis, resilient participants were inclined to actively seek motivations to move forward (theme 1) by identifying and clarifying important factors to live for, drawing on mental efforts and strength, and accessing spiritual self. With the motivations to move forward, participants strived to maintain normality (theme 2) along their cancer journey. They also made efforts to adapt and manage themselves (theme 3) and actively engaged with social and healthcare support networks (theme 4) to respond to illness related adversity, which facilitated their achievement of the goal of living a normal life. Successful adaptation was identified in participants who were able to redefine themselves (theme 5) by refining their ability to manage adversity, values, life priorities and making considered changes in their life.
Conclusions
We developed a model depicting the psychosocial adaptation process associated with resilience in adults with colorectal cancer. Understanding the characteristics of resilience may be beneficial for early identification and delivery of interventions to patients at risk of adaptation difficulties.