Life After Facing Cancer: Posttraumatic Growth, Meaning in Life and Life Satisfaction

Although it is known that facing cancer may be accompanied by a range of chronic and acute stress reactions, it can also contribute to positive psychological changes and influence one's life perception. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate relationship between posttraumatic growth (PTG), meaning in life and life satisfaction to determine whether the presence of meaning or the search for meaning mediated the relationship between PTG and life satisfaction. The study was conducted with 149 cancer survivors who were at least one-month post-completion of all medical cancer therapy. The results indicate positive associations between PTG, the presence of meaning in life, the search for meaning and life satisfaction. Moreover, the relationship between PTG and life satisfaction could be explained by the mediating effect of the presence of meaning in life. Thus, it is important for clinicians to systematically facilitate PTG, meaning in life and life satisfaction as protective factors to one's daily functioning.

Automated summary

This study found positive associations among posttraumatic growth, the presence and search for meaning in life, and life satisfaction in cancer survivors, with the presence of meaning in life mediating the relationship between posttraumatic growth and life satisfaction. It highlights the importance of promoting posttraumatic growth, meaning in life, and life satisfaction as protective factors for daily functioning in cancer survivors.