Objective To analyze the effects of root cause analysis (RCA)-based psychological intervention on psychological stress and coping modes in patients after radical resection of rectal cancer.

Methods A total of 74 patients scheduled for rectal cancer surgery were randomly assigned to either an observation group (n = 37, RCA-based psychological intervention) or a control group (n = 37, conventional intervention) for a 3-month intervention period. The multidimensional scale of perceived social support (PSSS), Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC), PTSD checklist-civilian version (PCL-C), and medical coping modes questionnaire (MCMQ) were administered before and after the intervention for comparative analysis.

Results Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups (P ＞ 0.05). Post-intervention outcomes indicated that the observation group demonstrated significantly higher PSSS and CD-RISC scores (P ＜ 0.01), and lower PCL-C scores (stress disorder) (P ＜ 0.01) compared to controls. In coping modes, the observation group scored higher in "confrontation" dimension but lower in "avoidance" and "resignation" dimensions (P ＜ 0.01). Postoperative recovery indicators (first flatus time, ambulation time, and hospital stay) were significantly shorter in the observation group (P ＜ 0.01), with no between-group difference in complication rates (P ＞ 0.05).

Conclusions RCA-based psychological intervention can effectively enhance social support, psychological resilience, and active disease coping in post-operative rectal cancer patients, while accelerating recovery and improving quality of life.