PURPOSE: Benefit finding after cancer is common. The mechanism for this may include cognitive processing of the cancer trauma within a supportive social context. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of 439 cancer patients assessing optimism, intrusion, avoidance, social support and constraints, anxiety, depression, QOL, benefit finding. RESULTS: Benefit finding was predicted by female gender, greater optimism, high intrusive thinking, high social support and constraints. CONCLUSIONS: The role of social constraints in the generation of benefit finding is unclear. Future research should assess how the specific nature of intrusive thoughts may influence benefit finding over time and how social environment interacts with this.