Psychosocial Support Needs of Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in China: A Qualitative Study From a Cultural Adaptation Perspective

Abstract

Objective

This qualitative study examined the psychosocial support needs of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients within China’s family-oriented cultural context. Guided by cultural adaptation theory, the study explored how cultural values shape patients’ psychological experiences and treatment decision-making.

Methods

Using a phenomenological purposive sampling strategy, 32 SCLC patients from a tertiary oncology hospital in Tianjin, China (May 2024–March 2025) participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Transcripts were managed with NVivo 12, and themes were identified using Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis.

Results

Distinct cultural factors influenced patient needs. Six major themes emerged: (1) dual psychological crises stemming from disease stigma and prognostic dread; (2) pervasive insecurity due to recurrence uncertainty; (3) heightened decision-making stress and information asymmetry; (4) Ethical and Familial Complexities in Treatment Choices—patients struggled to balance personal survival with family responsibilities and financial constraints; (5) an imbalance between the desire for professional psychological support and reliance on informal peer networks; and (6) deliberate suppression of negative emotions to maintain family stability.

Conclusions

The findings revealed a conflict between medical imperatives and entrenched family-oriented cultural values, underscoring the complexity of providing psychosocial support in SCLC care to Chinese patients.