Characteristics and influencing factors of posttraumatic growth in young and middle-aged cancer patients: A cross-sectional latent profile analysis

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the subgroups of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among young and middle-aged cancer patients in China and to explore influencing factors. A total of 378 young and middle-aged cancer patients aged 18–60 were selected for the study at a hospital in Shanghai, China. Latent profile analysis identified four categories of PTG among young and middle-aged cancer patients: the “predicament group” (5.9%), the “struggle group” (36.8%), the “limited growth group” (44.1%) and the “remarkable growth group” (13.2%). Age, gender, time since diagnosis, cancer site, primary/recurrence, and meaning in life significantly influenced the distribution of PTG in young and middle-aged cancer patients. Targeted interventions should be developed to enhance the level of PTG among this population, considering the specific characteristics and influencing factors within each profile.

Keywords

cancer latent profile analysis oncology posttraumatic growth young and middle-aged

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