Effectiveness of Mental Health Interventions For Adults with Cancer in the US: An Integrative Review

The purpose of this review was to synthesize existing literature on the effects of mental health interventions for adult cancer patients following their initial diagnosis and to consolidate findings related to interventions addressing mental health conditions in this population. With the growing number of adults diagnosed with cancer, further research and the development of tailored mental health interventions are crucial to improving health outcomes. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Medline Complete, and Health Source Nursing databases between January 2024 and February 2024. To ensure rigor, Toronto and Remington’s (2020) integrative review process was applied. The Johns Hopkins Hierarchy of Evidence Guide and Research Evidence Appraisal Tools (Dang et al., 2022) were utilized to evaluate the level and quality of evidence. Additionally, Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt’s (2022) Evaluation Table was used to present the quality appraisal information for each reviewed study. Findings were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) method. The review findings suggest that while current data emphasize the importance of mental health interventions for adult cancer patients, continued research is necessary to refine these interventions and tailor them. Proper mental health diagnosis and interventions in this patient population could significantly enhance treatment adherence and overall health outcomes for adult cancer patients.