Benefit finding profiles and comparison of caregiving ability among informal caregivers of patients with lung cancer: A latent profile analysis

Abstract

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to explore the benefit finding (BF) profiles among informal caregivers of patients with lung cancer, identify demographic and disease characteristics, and analyze differences in caregiving ability between profiles. Methods This cross-sectional study selected 272 informal caregivers of patients with lung cancer. The caregiving ability and BF were measured through self-report scale, respectively. Data analysis was mainly performed using Latent Profile Analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Results (a) BF can be divided into three profiles: “high benefit–family and personal growth” (Profile 1, 7.7%), “moderate benefit–unclear perception” (Profile 2, 44.9%), and “low benefit–coping ability deficient” (Profile 3, 47.4%). (b) Having a co-caregiver and a disease duration of 6–12 months were more likely to belong to profile 1; caregivers of patients aged 40–60 years tended to belong to profile 2; caregivers of older patients with disease duration > 12 months and clinical stage II or III were more likely to belong to profile 3. (c) There were significant differences in the total score of caregiving ability and the scores of each dimension among the different BF profiles (p < 0.001), and the caregiving abilities of profile 1 and profile 2 were higher than profile 3. Conclusion There was heterogeneity in BF among informal caregivers of patients with lung cancer. Healthcare professionals can identify the key profiles of lung cancer caregivers based on characteristics such as age, clinical stage, disease duration, and co-caregiver status and enhance their caregiving ability through targeted nursing guidance.