Role of Resilience and Body Image Distress in North Indian Cancer Patients

Abstract

Cancer continues to be one of the most evidently occurring diseases worldwide and is a major contributor of morbidity and mortality, with severe implications on the overall life of the person. Cancer leads to profound s in how individuals perceive themselves. Resilience is known to play an eminent role in how people cope with the disease and the associated distress. The study under consideration studied the interplay between Resilience and Body Image Distress in the cancer patients of the Indian subcontinent. A sample of 60 patients aged 18-60 years was evaluated using the Wagnild Resilience Scale and the Body Image Scale developed by Dr. Hopwood. Data was assessed using the Independent sample t- test, Pearson Correlation using the SPSS software. The analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation among resilience and body image distress, wherein higher resilience was associated with lower distress levels. The independent sample t- test exhibited no statistically significant difference in the body image distress between male and female patients; however, males exhibited slightly higher levels of resilience scores. The research underscores the relevance of resilience-based frameworks in the field psycho- oncology; suggest psycho- oncological care and the inclusion of culturally appropriate psychological interventions in treating cancer.