Tingting Cai
Fudan University School of Nursing, China
Title: Profiles of Instrumental, Emotional, and Informational Support in Chinese Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Biography
Biography: Tingting Cai
Abstract
Currently, there is a lack of studies assessing social relationships issues in breast cancer patients during a course of chemotherapy. This study aimed to explore profiles of instrumental, emotional, and informational support, and to identify the predictors in Chinese breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. In a multicentric study performed between January 2018 and March 2020 in China, a total of 638 breast cancer patients completed the demographic and clinical characteristics including the PROMIS-Social Relationships short forms, the PROMIS-Anxiety short form and the PROMIS-Depression short form. Analysis of variance and chi-square test were performed to examine between-group differences in demographics characteristics, anxiety, and depression outcomes across the identified latent classes. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify the correlation of significant demographic variables among the identified groups. Three profiles of social relationships were identified: Class 1-low social relationships group (14.3%); Class 2-high instrumental support, medium emotional and informational support group (24.6%); Class 3-high social relationships group (61.1%). Demographic characteristics that distinguished the identified classes were found. Additionally, the level of anxiety and depression differed between the identified classes. The findings revealed the heterogeneity of instrumental, emotional, and informational support in Chinese breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, which were significantly correlated with educational background, monthly family income, health insurance, and employment status. Additionally, patients with low instrumental, emotional, and informational support was more likely to report higher anxiety and depression. Therefore, when conduct interventions to promote social relationships, nurses should consider the sociodemographic characteristics, anxiety, and depression symptoms of breast cancer patients, and identify the high-risk patients for tailored interventions.