Latent profile analysis and influence factors of self-compassion among colorectal cancer patients with enterostomy from China: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to explore the potential categories and their characteristics of self-compassion in Chinese enterostomy patients and then to investigate related factors.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The research focused on enterostomy patients who were hospitalised in two tertiary hospitals in Yangzhou City, China, between Nov 2022 and Aug 2023.

PARTICIPANTS

222 adult enterostomy patients in China completed the questionnaires.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

This study investigated scores from the Self-Compassion Scale, Perceived Stress Scale and the Social Support Rating Scale. Information on the patients included: age, gender, marital status, monthly household income, types of medical insurance, education level, place of residence, enterostomy complications, postoperative time and whether adjuvant chemotherapy was given.

RESULTS

Three profiles of self-compassion in enterostomy patients were identified: 'low self-compassion group' (class 1), 'moderate self-compassion group' (class 2) and 'high self-compassion group' (class 3), accounting for 40.5%, 28.0% and 31.5%, respectively. The multivariate logistic analysis showed adjuvant chemotherapy, social support (＜0.05), types of enterostomy, education level and gender (<0.05) were the factors influencing the potential profile characteristics of enterostomy patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant heterogeneity in self-compassion among enterostomy patients, and nearly half of them belong to the 'low self-compassion group'. Focused interventions are required for females, patients with permanent enterostomy, low educational level and undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy. The self-compassion ability of patients can be effectively improved by reducing perceived stress and enhancing social support. These findings provide a basis for constructing targeted intervention strategies.