Posttraumatic growth and resilience among survivors of cancer in young adulthood in Switzerland: a report from the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Psychosocial Health Study

Purpose Survivors of young adult cancer (YACS) face distinct psychosocial challenges. Posttraumatic growth (PTG) and resilience may aid adaptation, though their relationship and relevance in this age group remain insufficiently understood. We aimed to (1) describe PTG and resilience among Swiss YACS and (2) investigate the associations of PTG with resilience, sociodemographic, and cancer-related characteristics. Methods We included survivors aged 21–39 years at diagnosis, diagnosed at least two years prior. We conducted a questionnaire survey using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI; range:0-105) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10; range:0–40). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression. Results A total of 131 YACS (62% female; mean age at study = 37.6 years, SD = 5.1) were included. The PTG sum score was 54.6 (SD = 23.0, range:1-101), and YACS reported most PTG in appreciation of life (mean = 3.3, 95% confidence interval: 3.2–3.6) and least in spiritual change (1.1, 0.9–1.3). The mean resilience score was 28.06 (SD = 5.91, range:10–39), and YACS reported the highest score for the item “Achieving goals despite obstacles” (3.2, 2.6-3.0), and the lowest for the item “see humorous side of things” (2.1, 2.0-2.3). PTG was higher among females and those who received chemotherapy, while resilience showed no significant association with PTG. Conclusion These findings suggest that PTG and resilience are distinct but complementary adaptation processes in YACS. With higher PTG linked to female gender and chemotherapy, and resilience showing no direct association with PTG, personalized psychosocial support remains essential to help survivors navigate their unique cancer experiences and promote well-being.