Author Name: – Dr. P. V. Radhika and Praveena Thakur Date:- 29 September 2026
Cancer affects emotional, relational, social, and existential well-being alongside physical health. This integrative review synthesises evidence on strengths-based counselling and positive psychology approaches that may support resilience among adults with cancer and family caregivers. Literature published primarily from 2015 to 2026 was identified through targeted searches of PubMed and Google Scholar, reference chaining, and authoritative oncology and Indian public-health sources. Five themes emerged: resilience as adaptive capacity; meaning, dignity, and realistic hope; acceptance and psychological flexibility; self-compassion and relational resilience; and caregiver/dyadic support within stepped psychosocial care. Evidence supports selected positive psychological, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, dignity-focused, meaning-centred, and dyadic interventions, although heterogeneity warrants cautious application. The proposed COURAGE Cancer Care Framework translates these findings into a culturally responsive model integrating distress screening, strengths assessment, values, relationships, caregiver inclusion, and referral pathways for Indian oncology settings.
