Correlates of post-traumatic growth for patients with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Breast cancer patients navigate a challenging and complex journey that often involves both emotional and physical struggles. Despite the challenges, their journey leads to significant personal growth. To gain understanding of the psychological dimensions of this experience, this study systematically reviews previously published research on breast cancer. Specifically, it incorporates three meta-analyses to investigate the relationships among post-traumatic growth (PTG), psychological distress, coping, and resilience. The review includes 33 studies with a combined sample of 6382 patients. The findings reveal three key insights. First, PTG is an almost ubiquitous experience among breast cancer survivors. Second, there is a notable relationship between PTG and psychological distress, indicating that these processes may be interconnected. Third, PTG shows a positive association with coping and resilience, highlighting the importance of these factors in fostering growth. These results emphasize the significant role that psychological factors, like resilience and coping, play in facilitating PTG in breast cancer patients.