What contributes to resilience in cancer patients? A principal component analysis of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.

The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale accounts for approximately two-thirds of variance in resilience in cancer patients, but 36% of the total variance remains unexplained, suggesting there are still unexplored determinants of resilience in cancer. Identification of these determinants may improve measurement of resilience in cancer through refinement of existing resilience measures or development of cancer-specific measures. Given the associations found within this study, interventions targeted towards improving coping strategies in at-risk individuals, and ensuring they have adequate social and spiritual support may improve resilience, although additional research is required to verify this.