Dual dimensions of psychological resilience in cancer patients: A systematic review from risk factors to protective factors
Abstract
Guided by the dual theoretical framework of “risk-protection”, this study systematically reviews the developmental trajectory and core themes of research on psychological resilience among cancer patients. The aim is to elucidate how individuals, under various risk factor contexts, draw upon multilayered protective resources to develop positive psychological adaptation capabilities. A total of 60 core English-language publications, published between 2009 and 2025 and indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, were included. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Bibliometrix tool, supplemented by qualitative coding through NVivo. This enabled the construction of a risk-protection intersection matrix and a thematic ecological map. Findings indicate a marked increase in research on psychological resilience in cancer patients since 2018, spanning multiple disciplinary domains including psycho-oncology, nursing, and health psychology. The thematic foci primarily center on individual psychological resource mechanisms, family support systems, symptom burden regulation, cultural adaptation experiences, and psychological resilience in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodologically, the research has evolved from traditional quantitative approaches to mixed methods and qualitative interviews, emphasizing the integration of subjective experience with systematic interpretation. The theoretical contributions of this study are threefold: (1) it clarifies the interactive structure between different types of risk factors and multilevel protective mechanisms, emphasizing psychological resilience as the outcome of “multi-system dynamic regulation”; (2) it reveals the mediating and moderating roles of cultural factors, social support, and family structure in the formation of resilience; (3) it proposes intervention strategies applicable at the individual, family, and community levels. This study provides systematic empirical support and analytical tools for the advancement of resilience theory, the practice of cancer care, and the development of health policy.
Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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