A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies on Meaning-Making and Existential Experiences Among Cancer Survivors.

IF 1.3

Omega Pub Date : 2026-09-04 DOI:10.1177/00302228261486068

Wan Mun Chian, Azmawaty Mohamad Nor

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Abstract

Cancer survivorship frequently involves confrontation with mortality, yet qualitative findings on meaning-making and existential experiences remain fragmented. This PRISMA 2020-guided systematic review synthesized qualitative evidence on meaning-making among adult cancer survivors across Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and the Psychology & Behavioral Science Collection (final search: 25 November 2025). Twenty-eight qualitative studies were included and synthesized using thematic synthesis, with confidence assessed via GRADE-CERQual. Five themes were identified: confrontation with mortality and existential shock; existential suffering and biographical disruption; meaning reconstruction and reorientation; transcendence, spirituality, and faith-based meaning; and psychological adaptation, resilience, and growth. Across diverse cultural contexts, cancer survivorship consistently involved mortality awareness and existential destabilization, followed by efforts to restore coherence and purpose. Spirituality, self-transcendence, and resilience emerged as prominent coping pathways. These findings support meaning-centered and existentially informed psychosocial care with culturally sensitive spiritual resources.

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癌症幸存者意义制造与存在经验质性研究的系统回顾。

癌症幸存者经常涉及与死亡的对抗，但关于意义制造和存在体验的定性研究结果仍然支离破碎。这项以PRISMA 2020为指导的系统综述综合了Scopus、Web of Science、MEDLINE和心理学与行为科学合集（最终检索时间：2025年11月25日）中成年癌症幸存者意义制造的定性证据。纳入了28项定性研究，并使用专题综合方法进行了综合，通过GRADE-CERQual评估了置信度。确定了五个主题：面对死亡和存在的冲击；存在的痛苦和传记的破坏；意义重构与重新定位；超越、灵性和基于信仰的意义；心理适应，恢复力和成长。在不同的文化背景下，癌症幸存者始终涉及死亡意识和存在的不稳定性，随后努力恢复一致性和目的。灵性、自我超越和适应力成为主要的应对途径。这些发现支持以文化敏感的精神资源为中心的以意义为中心和存在主义为基础的社会心理护理。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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Omega

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