The Dynamic Nature of Family Resilience Among Patients With Lung Cancer: A Qualitative Study.

PURPOSE: To explore the dynamic nature of family resilience among patients with lung cancer and the interactions among its core themes during adaptation. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 15 patients with lung cancer were purposively recruited from the Lung Cancer Center at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from June to October 2023. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: A descriptive phenomenologic approach was used. Face-to-face semistructured interviews were informed by Walsh's family resilience framework. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed in Chinese using Colaizzi's seven-step method with NVivo, version 11.0. Data saturation was reached after 15 interviews. FINDINGS: Three interrelated themes of family resilience were identified-family belief system, organizational patterns, and communication and problem-solving-comprising 10 subthemes. Family attachment, family cohesion, and open expression contributed to the dynamic interactions among these domains and supported family adaptation. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses can assess family strengths and vulnerabilities across these themes and provide tailored family-oriented interventions that promote psychological recovery, mobilize family and social resources, and facilitate open, patient-centered communication.