Applying a goal-based resilience model to breast cancer: a preliminary study

Background: A better understanding of resilience is integral to optimising the psychosocial care of cancer patients. The purpose of this research is to test a goal-based model of resilience in the cancer context, and more specifically, provide preliminary support for its application to breast cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design was used to measure personal goals, psychological distress, and subjective well-being in 29 early-stage breast cancer patients approximately one month following surgery. Findings: Goal importance was positively related to positive affect. Furthermore, goal interference was significantly associated with higher anxiety. These findings indicate that high goal importance is associated with high well-being, while high cancer-related goal interference is associated with high distress. Discussion: The findings provide preliminary empirical and theoretical support for the application of this model to breast cancer patients. Further investigation in this area has the potential to enhance the psychosocial care of cancer patients