Profile of psychological distress and associated factors in adolescents
and young adults with thyroid cancer: A latent profile analysis
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the characteristics of potential
profiles of psychological distress in adolescents and young adults
(AYAs) with thyroid cancer and to explore the population characteristics
and factors. Methods: 213 AYAs with thyroid cancer were
assessed using the general information questionnaire, Strategies Used by
People to Promote Health (SUPPH), and the specific Cancer Distress
Scales for Adolescents and Young Adults (CDS-AYA) from February to July
2023. Results: Three potential profiles of psychological
distress were finally identified: “lower” (67.1%), “general”
(25.8%), and “higher” (7.1%) psychological distress groups. Logistic
regression analysis showed that the presence of underlying disease,
treatment modality, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM), and self-management
efficacy were the factors in the potential psychological distress
profiles among AYAs with thyroid cancer. Conclusion:
This study identified heterogeneity in psychological distress among AYAs
with thyroid cancer and classified it into three profiles. Factors
influencing the potential characteristics of psychological distress in
thyroid cancer patients include underlying disease, treatment modality,
TNM, and self-management efficacy. Nurses should be attentive to the
psychological well-being of AYAs with thyroid cancer. Nurses could adopt
different interventions according to the individual characteristics of
patients, to reduce psychological distress and improve mental health.