Advancing health psychology research in oncology: Biobehavioral models, stress pathways, and stress-management interventions for cancer patients

Abstract

Psychosocial adaptation to cancer involves interactions among emotional, cognitive, and biological processes. Although the efficacy of psychological interventions is well documented, the mechanisms linking psychological adaptation to physiological outcomes remain fragmented across disciplines. The Special Issue of the International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, “Advancing Health Psychology Research in Oncology: Biobehavioral Models, Stress Pathways, and Stress-Management Interventions for Cancer Patients” addresses this gap and this paper serves as an overview.

As an overview for the Special Issue, this paper proposes an integrative biobehavioral model that synthesizes findings on brain function, stress-response systems, and psychosocial variables to explain how stress management interventions— including those delivered via digital platforms—may influence health trajectories in cancer care.

Using a targeted narrative approach, we draw upon recent empirical findings and prior integrative reviews conducted by the authors to examine: (a) the impact of perceived stress and inflammation across the cancer continuum; (b) brain-body stress response pathways linking affective, neuroendocrine, and immune function; (c) the evidence for psychological interventions to modulate these systems and improve behavioral and health outcomes; (d) future challenges for this line of research and cancer care.

Evidence suggests that cancer-related distress is associated with neural and immune dysregulation, with inflammation emerging as a central pathway. Stress management interventions, based on cognitive-behavioral theory and using digital delivery modalities, show promise in altering these biobehavioral mechanisms, thereby enhancing resilience, quality of life, and potentially long-term health outcomes in cancer survivors.