Abstract
Objective: Diagnosis and treatment of cancer present significant psychological issues that can affect the level of stress, resilience, and loneliness in patients. The objectives of the current study were to test connections between perceived stress, resilience, and loneliness in cancer patients, as well as to find out the differences depending on the residence area.
Method: The correlational research design was used. A total of 100 cancer patients who were recruited (40% male, 60% female) with the age range 20-80 years were included in the sample using purposive sampling in healthcare facilities in Pakistan. The participants were to complete a Demographic Information Performa, Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), Resilience Scale (RS), and UCLA Loneliness Scale (Urdu versions).
Results: Perceived stress had significant positive relations with overall resilience and its subscales, personal competence and self-acceptance. Perceived stress had weak and non-significant association with loneliness. There was a poor negative correlation between resilience and loneliness. There was a significant difference in resilience and self-acceptance in rural participants over urban ones, but no significant differences at perceived stress and loneliness.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate the ability of perceived stress and resilience to interact complexly in cancer patients and emphasize resilience as an important psychosocial resource. Loneliness may be prevented by high levels of stress by management by cultural and contextual factors like having a good family support system. The findings facilitate the use of culturally sensitive psychosocial interventions based on resilience in oncology care to support psychological well-being and quality of life.