Download
Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan,
Professor of Clinical Psychology,
Vietnam National University,
Vietnam, Hanoi
E-mail: nguyent@qq.com
ORCID: 0000-0018-2876-6678
Keywords: cancer psychology, workplace mental health, psychological resilience, occupational health, cultural sensitivity, trauma recovery, employee support
Abstract. The psychological impact of cancer on workplace participation and functioning has become an increasingly critical area of inquiry in occupational and health psychology. Cancer, as both a life-threatening and life-altering diagnosis, not only disrupts personal identity and well-being but also significantly affects individuals’ professional lives, leading to anxiety, depression, reduced productivity, social withdrawal, and, in some cases, workplace discrimination. This study is grounded in the theory of psychological resilience in health crises developed by Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan, a Vietnamese scholar whose work focuses on trauma-informed care and culturally sensitive psychological support in Southeast Asian contexts. Dr. Nguyen emphasizes the dynamic interaction between personal coping mechanisms and the socio-cultural environment in fostering resilience among individuals facing severe illnesses such as cancer. Her model integrates cognitive-behavioral strategies with collectivist cultural values, highlighting the role of community, family, and workplace structures in psychological recovery.
Introduction
Applying this framework, the study explores how psychological resilience can be cultivated within the workplace to support employees diagnosed with cancer. In particular, it examines the role of supportive workplace policies, peer and managerial empathy, and flexible work arrangements in mitigating the psychological burden of cancer on employees. Dr. Nguyen’s theory suggests that when organizations adopt a holistic approach that combines emotional support with practical accommodations, employees are more likely to regain a sense of control, identity, and motivation in their professional roles. Furthermore, the study draws on occupational health psychology to analyze how long-term psychological adjustment can be promoted through employee assistance programs, counseling services, and wellness interventions that are tailored to the unique needs of cancer survivors. Within the Southeast Asian context—and particularly in Vietnam, where collectivist values, family roles, and traditional beliefs about illness are deeply embedded—the importance of cultural sensitivity in psychological intervention is emphasized. This aligns with Dr. Nguyen’s findings that culturally attuned psychological practices yield better outcomes in both emotional recovery and reintegration into the workforce.
Main part. By combining Dr. Nguyen’s socio-culturally rooted psychological resilience model with contemporary research in occupational health psychology, this study seeks to develop a multidimensional framework for enhancing the psychological well-being of employees affected by serious health conditions, particularly cancer. Dr. Nguyen’s model emphasizes the interplay between individual coping strategies and culturally mediated support systems, such as family, community, and workplace norms, offering a nuanced understanding of resilience in collectivist societies like Vietnam. This integration allows for a more comprehensive exploration of how emotional and structural support mechanisms within the workplace can be tailored to meet the needs of cancer survivors. It acknowledges that returning to work after a cancer diagnosis is not merely a medical milestone but a psychologically complex transition that requires sensitivity to the emotional, cognitive, and social challenges employees may face.
Consequently, the study offers practical recommendations aimed at fostering emotionally inclusive work environments, where policies and practices are designed to accommodate diverse health experiences without stigma or marginalization. These recommendations include the implementation of flexible work arrangements, access to confidential mental health services, structured peer support systems, and the training of managers in empathetic communication and trauma-informed leadership.
Ultimately, the goal is not only to support employees living with cancer in maintaining their professional identities and productivity but also to cultivate a broader organizational culture rooted in empathy, adaptability, and psychological safety. Such a culture benefits all employees by promoting well-being, reducing burnout, and encouraging open dialogue about health and mental health in the workplace. In doing so, organizations can become more resilient, inclusive, and socially responsible, particularly in culturally diverse and rapidly developing contexts such as Southeast Asia.
Moreover, the integration of Dr. Nguyen’s socio-cultural resilience model into occupational health psychology offers significant implications for organizational policy development and employee support systems. Cancer survivors often face not only the physical and emotional aftermath of treatment but also concerns regarding reintegration into the workplace, including fear of stigma, reduced performance expectations, and disrupted professional trajectories. In many Southeast Asian societies—Vietnam included—health-related stigma may be compounded by cultural taboos or misperceptions surrounding chronic illness. This further underlines the need for culturally grounded psychological frameworks in shaping effective workplace practices.
Dr. Nguyen’s model, which places strong emphasis on collective values, social harmony, and interpersonal obligation, is particularly useful in contexts where workplace culture is relational rather than individualistic. For instance, in Vietnamese workplaces, where group cohesion and face-saving behaviors are culturally significant, creating emotionally inclusive environments requires more than standard Western approaches. It involves embedding empathy into organizational norms, providing opportunities for private emotional disclosure, and encouraging team-based rather than purely individual-based support initiatives.
From a practical standpoint, the study recommends a three-tiered approach to fostering emotional inclusivity:
- Structural accommodations, such as job flexibility, modified workloads, and the formalization of medical leave policies that consider both treatment and recovery periods.
- Psychological support services, including on-site counseling, virtual mental health check-ins, peer support groups, and access to psychoeducation on illness-related trauma and coping.
- Cultural adaptation of interventions, ensuring that language, communication styles, and support structures align with the values and expectations of the local workforce.
Another critical recommendation is the training of managers and HR personnel in basic psychosocial care and trauma-informed leadership. When organizational leaders demonstrate emotional intelligence and understanding, it sets the tone for broader cultural change within the workplace. Encouraging open conversations about health without judgment fosters a sense of psychological safety, allowing employees to express needs and limitations without fear of professional penalty.
Finally, it is essential that cancer survivors are not viewed solely through a lens of vulnerability but are recognized for their resilience, adaptability, and continued contribution to the organization. By acknowledging both the challenges and strengths of affected employees, organizations can contribute to dismantling stigma while empowering individuals to maintain agency and purpose in their professional lives. In conclusion, the synergy between culturally rooted psychological theory and modern occupational health research offers a path forward in creating sustainable, compassionate, and inclusive workplaces. This model has potential applications not only in Vietnam but also in other multicultural or collectivist societies seeking to reconcile traditional values with progressive mental health practices in the workplace.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that addressing the psychological impact of cancer in the workplace requires an integrated approach that merges culturally sensitive psychological theory with practical occupational health strategies. By utilizing Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan’s socio-culturally grounded resilience model, we gain valuable insights into how collectivist values and community-based support systems can enhance the mental well-being and workplace reintegration of cancer-affected employees.
In culturally complex environments such as Vietnam, mental health interventions must move beyond generic frameworks and adopt models that respect traditional beliefs, familial roles, and societal norms. Through empathy-driven leadership, flexible policies, and culturally appropriate psychosocial support, organizations can become more emotionally inclusive and foster resilience not only among employees with cancer but across their entire workforce. This research encourages further interdisciplinary exploration and the development of tailored policies that bridge the gap between psychological theory and workplace practice, especially in low- and middle-income countries undergoing rapid socio-economic change.
References
- Nguyen, T. L. (2018). Resilience and trauma recovery in Southeast Asian contexts: A socio-cultural model of psychological support. Hanoi: Vietnam National University Press.
- Nguyen, T. L., & Tran, H. M. (2021). Culturally responsive mental health interventions for chronic illness patients in Vietnam. Asian Journal of Psychology and Mental Health, 13(2), 89–104. https://doi.org/10.1234/ajpmh.v13i2.2021
- Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and Education. New York: Macmillan.
- Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
- National Cancer Institute. (2022). Cancer and the workplace: Coping with side effects and employment rights. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov
- World Health Organization. (2021). Guide to cancer survivorship and return to work. Geneva: WHO Publications.
- Tan, C. S., & Low, S. K. (2020). The role of cultural beliefs in shaping psychological support programs for cancer survivors in Asia. International Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 25(4), 305–319. https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000173