Objective The diagnosis of cancer is an adverse event; nevertheless, it can also exert positive changes on survivors, such as posttraumatic growth (PTG). This review aims to integrate researches on PTG in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors, including manifestations and prevalence of PTG, factors associated with PTG and interventions on PTG. Methods A systematic search was implemented on six databases to identify studies on PTG in CRC survivors published in English or Chinese from October 1995 to May 2022. We also performed a manual search for additional studies from the article reference lists. Results Thirty‐one studies were included. The results were integrated based on the PTG theoretical framework and PTG affective–cognitive processing model. PTG manifests in CRC survivor–caregiver dyads in five domains, including personal growth, appreciation of life, relating to others, new possibilities and spiritual change. Factors correlated with PTG can be integrated into levels of personality, event cognitions, appraisal mechanisms, emotional states, coping and social environmental context. Elements of interventions can be integrated according to the affective–cognitive processing PTG model. Existing interventions are effective in promoting PTG in CRC survivors. Conclusion We provide a systematic perspective on studies targeting PTG in CRC survivors. PTG manifested in survivor–caregiver dyads. Factors associated with PTG in CRC survivors are significant, and the interventions are effective. An intervention programme based on the affective–cognitive processing model and focused on CRC survivor–caregiver dyads would be significant for the dyads facing cancer.

(1) Background: Effective communication among couples in which one has been diagnosed with cancer is critical to improve their psychosocial adaptation to cancer. The objective of this review was to explore the characteristics and measurement outcomes of existing couple-based communication interventions in the cancer context. (2) Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched from database initiation to August 2022 to identify eligible articles. Hand searching was also performed on the included articles’ reference lists and authors. (3) Results: A total of 14 intervention studies were eligible to be included in this review. Cancer couples with distress or communication problems before intervention were more likely to benefit from the couple-based communication interventions. Positive outcomes were reported, including an improvement in relationship functioning (including mutual communication, intimacy, and relationship satisfaction) and individual functioning (including a decline of anxiety, depression and cancer-related concerns, and an increase in psychological adjustment and quality of life). (4) Conclusions: These findings supported the importance of improving mutual communication behaviors to promote cancer patient–spousal caregiver dyads’ psychosocial adaptation to cancer. While most included studies were conducted in western countries and the sample size was relatively small, more research is warranted to develop more efficacious couple-based communication interventions.

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BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) causes severe physical and psychological impacts on the patients as well as their spousal caregivers. To facilitate the psychological adaptation of the CRC suffered couples, a couple‐based posttraumatic growth (PTG) intervention was developed based on the PTG affective‐cognitive processing model. The feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effect of this intervention were tested.MethodsA pre–post randomized controlled pilot trail was conducted for Chinese couples coping with CRC. Participants in the intervention group were provided five weekly sessions consecutively, while those in the control group were treated with usual care during the testing period. Outcomes were described as positive changes (PTG, benefit finding [BF]), marital satisfaction, quality of life and anxiety and depression. Qualitative method was also used to evaluate the programme participating sense of the couples.ResultsThe rate of programme recruitment and programme retention amounts to 78.6% and 87.5%, respectively. The participants have reported overall satisfaction for the programme attendance and have suggested detailed diet guidance. Significant effects were revealed in the outcomes for the CRC couples, including PTG, marital satisfaction, BF, physical and mental health and anxiety and depression.ConclusionThe study confirmed the feasibility and preliminary positive effect of the couple‐based PTG intervention for the CRC couples. However, in order to extend it in more general applications, large‐scale researches are warranted.Practical implicationThe couple‐based intervention is effective for couples coping with CRC. Clinicians should take the components of the intervention into consideration in their practice work for the CRC couples.