Ambivalence Over Emotional Expression and Influencing Factors in Chinese Breast Cancer Patients: A Latent Profile...

The purpose of this study was to explore the latent profiles of ambivalence over emotional expression (AEE) in breast cancer patients and its influencing factors.

From July 2024 to June 2025, breast cancer patients were recruited using a convenience sampling method from a tertiary hospital in China. A total of 388 participants completed demographic and clinical characteristic questionnaires, the Ambivalence Over Emotional Expression Questionnaire (AEQ), the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and the Irrational Beliefs Scale (IBS). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify AEE subgroups, followed by univariate analysis, ANOVA, and multinomial logistic regression to examine associated influencing factors.

Based on the level of AEE, breast cancer patients were divided into 3 sub groups: "low conflict-active disclosure group " (34.5%), "moderate conflict-inhibition and regret group " (46.5%), and "high conflict-inhibition and regret group " (19.3%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that retirement status, perceived stress, social support and irrational beliefs were factors influencing participants' AEE (P < .05).

There was significant variability in AEE among 3 subgroups of breast cancer patients. Retirement status, perceived stress, social support, and irrational beliefs have an impact on AEE in breast cancer patients. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to promptly identify high-risk groups and implement targeted interventions to improve AEE.

This study can help healthcare providers identify patients at high risk of AEE, enabling early intervention and targeted psychological nursing interventions. Healthcare providers can assist patients in establishing correct beliefs about their illness and alleviating perceived stress, thereby reducing the negative impact of AEE.