ABSTRACT Objective To explore South Korean breast cancer survivors' perspectives on family experiences during treatment and examine how family dynamics contribute to resilience. Background Limited research has addressed how South Korean women with breast cancer perceive culturally shaped resilience within the context of family conflicts and role flexibility. Methods This descriptive qualitative study included 14 survivors recruited from an outpatient clinic in a metropolitan city participated in in‐depth interviews. Data were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis. Results Three main themes emerged: (a) navigating caregiving identity during treatment; (b) opportunity for rebonding with family; and (c) returning to normal, but not normal. Participants temporarily stepped back from culturally expected caregiver roles while striving to continue caring for children. Spousal support and role adjustments were viewed as opportunities to strengthen family bonds, whereas lack of support led to silent suffering. After treatment, survivors faced persistent symptoms, psychological distress, and fear of recurrence but concealed these difficulties, sustaining a facade of normality to protect their families. Conclusion Survivors' family roles are shaped by cultural expectations, complicating their ability to receive support. Implications Involving family members, fostering open communication, and tailoring care to each family's cultural context can strengthen resilience throughout treatment and survivorship.
Jung et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
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