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Kanser Hastalarının Psikolojik Dayanıklılığını ve Başa Çıkma Deneyimlerini Etkileyen Faktörler: Fenomenolojik Bir Çalışma

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 3, 143 - 150, 30.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.30934/kusbed.1716994

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, kanser hastalarının psikolojik dayanıklılık ve başa çıkma deneyimlerini etkileyen faktörleri değerlendirmektir.
Yöntem: Fenomenolojik araştırma yönteminin kullanıldığı bu çalışmada, Türkiye'nin kuzeyindeki bir ilde yaşayan 22 kanser hastasıyla yarı yapılandırılmış derinlemesine görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Örneklem grubuna ulaşmak için amaçlı örnekleme yöntemlerinden biri olan kriter örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Görüşmeler, veri doygunluğu elde edilene kadar devam etmiştir. Tüm görüşmeler ses kaydı ile kaydedilmiş ve daha sonra transkripsiyonu yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın verileri tematik analiz kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışma, COREQ kontrol listesine göre yürütülmüş ve raporlanmıştır.
Bulgular: Veri analizi, üç tema (kanserinin etkileri, kanserle başa çıkma, psikolojik dayanıklılık ve etkileyen faktörler) ve sekiz alt tema (zihinsel, fiziksel, sosyal, sosyal desteğin algılanması, tedavi süreci, kişisel yetkinlik ve gelecek planları, manevi eğilim ve olumsuz olaylara bakış açısı) ortaya çıkarmıştır.
Sonuç: Çalışmanın sonuçları, kanserin bireyler üzerinde olumsuz psikososyal etkileri olduğunu göstermiştir. Kanser tedavisi ve bakım süreci, bireylerin psikolojik dayanıklılığını olumsuz etkileyebilir. Bu süreçte, sosyal destek algısı, başa çıkma kaynakları, olumsuz olaylara bakış açısı, maneviyat gibi durumların psikolojik dayanıklılığı etkileyebileceği belirlenmiştir.

References

  • Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-249. doi:10.3322/caac.21660
  • Pal RS, Pal Y, Chaitanya MVNL, Babu R, Mazumder R, Kumar A. Multifaceted understandings of cancer: a review of disease mechanisms and therapies. Curr Cancer Ther Rev. 2024;20:481-488.
  • Siegel RL, Miller KD, Wagle NS, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2023. CA Cancer J Clin. 2023;73(1):17-48. doi:10.3322/caac.2176348
  • Wang Y, Duan Z, Ma Z, et al. Epidemiology of mental health problems among patients with cancer during COVID-19 pandemic. Transl Psychiatry. 2020;10:263. doi:10.1038/s41398-020-00950-y
  • Ölmez N, Karadağ E. The relationship between spiritual well-being and psychological resilience level of cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Sakarya Med J. 2022;12(3):390-402. doi:10.31832/smj.1075527
  • Çakır N, Nazik E. Determination of quality of life of gynecologic cancer patients. YOBU J Fac Health Sci. 2022;3(2):117-129.
  • American Psychological Association. Building your resilience. American Psychological Association website. Published 2020. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience
  • Üzar Özçetin YS, Dursun SI. Quality of life, caregiver burden, and resilience among the family caregivers of cancer survivors. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2020;48:101832. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2020.101832
  • Tamura S, Suzuki K, Ito Y, Fukawa A. Factors related to the resilience and mental health of adult cancer patients: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer. 2021;29(7):3471-3486. doi:10.1007/s00520-020-05943-7
  • Eaton S, Cornwell H, Hamilton-Giachritsis C, Fairchild G. Resilience and young people's brain structure, function and connectivity: a systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;132:936-956. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.001
  • Zhang X, Lu J, Ding Z, et al. Psychological resilience and post-traumatic stress disorder as chain mediators between personality traits and cognitive functioning in patients with breast cancer. BMC Psychiatry. 2024;24(1):750. doi:10.1186/s12888-024-06219-8
  • Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care. 2007;19(6):349-357. doi:10.1093/intqhc/mzm042
  • Başkaya E, Demir S. The problems and information needs of patients with bipolar disorder during the treatment process: a qualitative study in Turkey. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2023;42:45-54. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2022.12.007
  • Brinkmann S, Kvale S. Doing Interviews. 2nd ed. London, UK: Sage; 2018.
  • Morrow R, Rodriquez A, King N. Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological method. The Psychologist. 2015;28(8):643-644.
  • Ulutaşdemir N, Ay H, Göçmen A, Uzun S, Kulakaç N. Needs of caregivers of patients with palliative neurological problems: a qualitative study. Curr Psychol. 2022;1-7. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03800-w
  • Barton KS, Steineck A, Walsh CA, et al. “I won’t get to live my life the way I planned it”: a qualitative analysis of the experiences of adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023;70:e30554.
  • Zhang Y, Thandrayen J, Soga K, et al. Physical disability and psychological distress before and after a diagnosis of cancer: evidence on multiple cancer types from a large Australian cohort study, compared to people without a cancer diagnosis. BMC Med. 2025;23:290. doi:10.1186/s12916-025-04111-0
  • Zhang L, Liu X, Tong F, et al. The prevalence of psychological disorders among cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a meta-analysis. Psychooncology. 2022;31(11):1972-1987. doi:10.1002/pon.6012
  • Maxwell CM, Bhat A, Falls SJ, et al. Socioeconomic factors predict long-term quality of life of cancer survivors: an international survey. J Surg Res. 2024;293:389-395. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2023.09.011
  • Rezaei N, Saghazadeh A. Loneliness and health: an umbrella review. Heart Mind. 2022;6(4):242-253.
  • Firkins J, Hansen L, Driessnack M, Dieckmann N. Quality of life in “chronic” cancer survivors: a meta-analysis. J Cancer Surviv. 2020;14:504-517. doi:10.1007/s11764-020-00869-9
  • Riba MB, Donovan KA, Ahmed K, et al. NCCN Guidelines Insights: Distress Management, Version 2.2023. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2023;21:450-457.
  • Carreiro J, Cardoso S, Teques P, Teques AP, Pais-Ribeiro JL. Satisfaction with social support and quality of life among Portuguese patients with breast cancer: mediating effects of coping styles—cross-sectional study. Healthcare (Basel). 2025;13(3):297. doi:10.3390/healthcare13030297
  • Zamanian H, Amini-Tehrani M, Jalali Z, et al. Perceived social support, coping strategies, anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer: evaluation of a mediation model. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2021;50:101892. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2020.101892
  • Hu RY, Wang JY, Chen WL, et al. Stress, coping strategies and expectations among breast cancer survivors in China: a qualitative study. BMC Psychol. 2021;9:26.
  • Chen Z, Jiang Y, Chen M, Baiyila N, Nan J. Resilience as a mediator of spirituality and self-management in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(12):1631. doi:10.3390/healthcare9121631
  • Sharpley CF, Arnold WM, Christie DRH, Bitsika V. Network connectivity between psychological resilience and depression in prostate cancer patients. Psychooncology. 2023;33(1):e6266. doi:10.1002/pon.6266
  • Üzar Özçetin YS, Hiçdurmaz D. Kanser deneyiminde psikolojik sağlamlık ve travma sonrası büyümeyi artırıcı yapılandırılmış grupla güçlendirme programı. HEAD. 2020;17(1):51-58.
  • Seiler A, Jenewein J. Resilience in cancer patients. Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:208. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00208
  • Fernández-Martínez E, Martín-Pérez I, Liébana-Presa C, Martínez-Fernández M, López-Alonso AI. Fear of death and its relationship to resilience in nursing students: a longitudinal study. Nurse Educ Pract. 2021;55:103175. doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103175
  • Li L, Hou Y, Kang F, Wei X. The mediating and moderating roles of resilience in the relationship between anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic growth among breast cancer patients based on structural equation modeling: an observational study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(50):e23273. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000023273
  • Purvish MP, Krishna C, Mounika B, Kumar M, Krupa S. Geriatric oncology landscape in India: current scenario and future projections. Cancer Res Stat Treat. 2020;3(2):296-299. doi:10.4103/CRST.CRST_150_20
  • Pahlevan Sharif S, Lehto RH, Amiri M, et al. Spirituality and quality of life in women with breast cancer: the role of hope and educational attainment. Palliat Support Care. 2021;19(1):55-61. doi:10.1017/s1478951520000383
  • Yıldırım Üşenmez T, Öner U, Şanlı ME, Dinç M. The effect of spirituality on psychological resilience in women with breast cancer who have received chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study from Turkey. J Relig Health. 2023;62:1964-1975. doi:10.1007/s10943-022-01668-5
  • Akuoko CP, Chambers S, Yates P. Supportive care needs of women with advanced breast cancer in Ghana. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2022;58:102142. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102142

Factors Affecting Psychological Resilience and Coping Experiences of Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 3, 143 - 150, 30.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.30934/kusbed.1716994

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting psychological resilience and coping experiences of cancer patients.
Methods: In this study using the phenomenological research method, semi- structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 individuals with cancer living in a province in northern Turkey. Criterion sampling method, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used to reach the sample group. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. All interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed. The data of the study were evaluated using thematic analysis. The study was conducted and reported according to the COREQ checklist.
Results: Data analysis revealed three themes (effects of cancer, coping with cancer, psychological resilience and influencing factors) and eight sub-themes (mental, physical, social, perception of social support, treatment process, personal competence and future plans, spiritual disposition and perspective on negative events).
Conclusion: The results of the study showed that cancer has a negative psychosocial impact on individuals. The treatment and care process in cancer can negatively affect the psychological resilience of individuals. In this process, it was determined that situations such as perception of social support, coping resources, perspective on negative events, spirituality can affect psychological resilience.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by Giresun University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee (E-95674917-108.99-223219) (13.12.2023-2023/6). Informed consent was obtained from the participants before starting the interview. Recordings and transcripts were stored on a password-protected device. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the ethical standards of the National Research Committee.

Supporting Institution

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Thanks

This study was presented as an oral presentation at the 1st International Oncology Nursing Association Congress held in Ankara on May 21-23, 2025.

References

  • Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-249. doi:10.3322/caac.21660
  • Pal RS, Pal Y, Chaitanya MVNL, Babu R, Mazumder R, Kumar A. Multifaceted understandings of cancer: a review of disease mechanisms and therapies. Curr Cancer Ther Rev. 2024;20:481-488.
  • Siegel RL, Miller KD, Wagle NS, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2023. CA Cancer J Clin. 2023;73(1):17-48. doi:10.3322/caac.2176348
  • Wang Y, Duan Z, Ma Z, et al. Epidemiology of mental health problems among patients with cancer during COVID-19 pandemic. Transl Psychiatry. 2020;10:263. doi:10.1038/s41398-020-00950-y
  • Ölmez N, Karadağ E. The relationship between spiritual well-being and psychological resilience level of cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Sakarya Med J. 2022;12(3):390-402. doi:10.31832/smj.1075527
  • Çakır N, Nazik E. Determination of quality of life of gynecologic cancer patients. YOBU J Fac Health Sci. 2022;3(2):117-129.
  • American Psychological Association. Building your resilience. American Psychological Association website. Published 2020. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience
  • Üzar Özçetin YS, Dursun SI. Quality of life, caregiver burden, and resilience among the family caregivers of cancer survivors. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2020;48:101832. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2020.101832
  • Tamura S, Suzuki K, Ito Y, Fukawa A. Factors related to the resilience and mental health of adult cancer patients: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer. 2021;29(7):3471-3486. doi:10.1007/s00520-020-05943-7
  • Eaton S, Cornwell H, Hamilton-Giachritsis C, Fairchild G. Resilience and young people's brain structure, function and connectivity: a systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;132:936-956. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.001
  • Zhang X, Lu J, Ding Z, et al. Psychological resilience and post-traumatic stress disorder as chain mediators between personality traits and cognitive functioning in patients with breast cancer. BMC Psychiatry. 2024;24(1):750. doi:10.1186/s12888-024-06219-8
  • Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care. 2007;19(6):349-357. doi:10.1093/intqhc/mzm042
  • Başkaya E, Demir S. The problems and information needs of patients with bipolar disorder during the treatment process: a qualitative study in Turkey. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2023;42:45-54. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2022.12.007
  • Brinkmann S, Kvale S. Doing Interviews. 2nd ed. London, UK: Sage; 2018.
  • Morrow R, Rodriquez A, King N. Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological method. The Psychologist. 2015;28(8):643-644.
  • Ulutaşdemir N, Ay H, Göçmen A, Uzun S, Kulakaç N. Needs of caregivers of patients with palliative neurological problems: a qualitative study. Curr Psychol. 2022;1-7. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03800-w
  • Barton KS, Steineck A, Walsh CA, et al. “I won’t get to live my life the way I planned it”: a qualitative analysis of the experiences of adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023;70:e30554.
  • Zhang Y, Thandrayen J, Soga K, et al. Physical disability and psychological distress before and after a diagnosis of cancer: evidence on multiple cancer types from a large Australian cohort study, compared to people without a cancer diagnosis. BMC Med. 2025;23:290. doi:10.1186/s12916-025-04111-0
  • Zhang L, Liu X, Tong F, et al. The prevalence of psychological disorders among cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a meta-analysis. Psychooncology. 2022;31(11):1972-1987. doi:10.1002/pon.6012
  • Maxwell CM, Bhat A, Falls SJ, et al. Socioeconomic factors predict long-term quality of life of cancer survivors: an international survey. J Surg Res. 2024;293:389-395. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2023.09.011
  • Rezaei N, Saghazadeh A. Loneliness and health: an umbrella review. Heart Mind. 2022;6(4):242-253.
  • Firkins J, Hansen L, Driessnack M, Dieckmann N. Quality of life in “chronic” cancer survivors: a meta-analysis. J Cancer Surviv. 2020;14:504-517. doi:10.1007/s11764-020-00869-9
  • Riba MB, Donovan KA, Ahmed K, et al. NCCN Guidelines Insights: Distress Management, Version 2.2023. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2023;21:450-457.
  • Carreiro J, Cardoso S, Teques P, Teques AP, Pais-Ribeiro JL. Satisfaction with social support and quality of life among Portuguese patients with breast cancer: mediating effects of coping styles—cross-sectional study. Healthcare (Basel). 2025;13(3):297. doi:10.3390/healthcare13030297
  • Zamanian H, Amini-Tehrani M, Jalali Z, et al. Perceived social support, coping strategies, anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer: evaluation of a mediation model. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2021;50:101892. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2020.101892
  • Hu RY, Wang JY, Chen WL, et al. Stress, coping strategies and expectations among breast cancer survivors in China: a qualitative study. BMC Psychol. 2021;9:26.
  • Chen Z, Jiang Y, Chen M, Baiyila N, Nan J. Resilience as a mediator of spirituality and self-management in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(12):1631. doi:10.3390/healthcare9121631
  • Sharpley CF, Arnold WM, Christie DRH, Bitsika V. Network connectivity between psychological resilience and depression in prostate cancer patients. Psychooncology. 2023;33(1):e6266. doi:10.1002/pon.6266
  • Üzar Özçetin YS, Hiçdurmaz D. Kanser deneyiminde psikolojik sağlamlık ve travma sonrası büyümeyi artırıcı yapılandırılmış grupla güçlendirme programı. HEAD. 2020;17(1):51-58.
  • Seiler A, Jenewein J. Resilience in cancer patients. Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:208. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00208
  • Fernández-Martínez E, Martín-Pérez I, Liébana-Presa C, Martínez-Fernández M, López-Alonso AI. Fear of death and its relationship to resilience in nursing students: a longitudinal study. Nurse Educ Pract. 2021;55:103175. doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103175
  • Li L, Hou Y, Kang F, Wei X. The mediating and moderating roles of resilience in the relationship between anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic growth among breast cancer patients based on structural equation modeling: an observational study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(50):e23273. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000023273
  • Purvish MP, Krishna C, Mounika B, Kumar M, Krupa S. Geriatric oncology landscape in India: current scenario and future projections. Cancer Res Stat Treat. 2020;3(2):296-299. doi:10.4103/CRST.CRST_150_20
  • Pahlevan Sharif S, Lehto RH, Amiri M, et al. Spirituality and quality of life in women with breast cancer: the role of hope and educational attainment. Palliat Support Care. 2021;19(1):55-61. doi:10.1017/s1478951520000383
  • Yıldırım Üşenmez T, Öner U, Şanlı ME, Dinç M. The effect of spirituality on psychological resilience in women with breast cancer who have received chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study from Turkey. J Relig Health. 2023;62:1964-1975. doi:10.1007/s10943-022-01668-5
  • Akuoko CP, Chambers S, Yates P. Supportive care needs of women with advanced breast cancer in Ghana. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2022;58:102142. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102142
There are 36 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Primary Health Care
Journal Section Original Article
Authors

Nurten Gülsüm Bayrak 0000-0002-7658-9961

Sevda Uzun 0000-0002-5954-717X

Publication Date September 30, 2025
Submission Date June 10, 2025
Acceptance Date August 9, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 11 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Bayrak, N. G., & Uzun, S. (2025). Factors Affecting Psychological Resilience and Coping Experiences of Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study. Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 11(3), 143-150. https://doi.org/10.30934/kusbed.1716994
AMA Bayrak NG, Uzun S. Factors Affecting Psychological Resilience and Coping Experiences of Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study. KOU Sag Bil Derg. September 2025;11(3):143-150. doi:10.30934/kusbed.1716994
Chicago Bayrak, Nurten Gülsüm, and Sevda Uzun. “Factors Affecting Psychological Resilience and Coping Experiences of Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study”. Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 11, no. 3 (September 2025): 143-50. https://doi.org/10.30934/kusbed.1716994.
EndNote Bayrak NG, Uzun S (September 1, 2025) Factors Affecting Psychological Resilience and Coping Experiences of Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study. Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 11 3 143–150.
IEEE N. G. Bayrak and S. Uzun, “Factors Affecting Psychological Resilience and Coping Experiences of Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study”, KOU Sag Bil Derg, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 143–150, 2025, doi: 10.30934/kusbed.1716994.
ISNAD Bayrak, Nurten Gülsüm - Uzun, Sevda. “Factors Affecting Psychological Resilience and Coping Experiences of Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study”. Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 11/3 (September2025), 143-150. https://doi.org/10.30934/kusbed.1716994.
JAMA Bayrak NG, Uzun S. Factors Affecting Psychological Resilience and Coping Experiences of Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study. KOU Sag Bil Derg. 2025;11:143–150.
MLA Bayrak, Nurten Gülsüm and Sevda Uzun. “Factors Affecting Psychological Resilience and Coping Experiences of Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study”. Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 11, no. 3, 2025, pp. 143-50, doi:10.30934/kusbed.1716994.
Vancouver Bayrak NG, Uzun S. Factors Affecting Psychological Resilience and Coping Experiences of Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study. KOU Sag Bil Derg. 2025;11(3):143-50.