Attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among patients with colorectal cancer: A latent profile analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the attitudes of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) toward seeking professional psychological help and to identify latent profiles and associated influencing factors.

METHODS

A total of 236 patients with CRC were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants completed validated instruments assessing attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, mental health literacy, and stigma related to psychological help-seeking. Latent profile analysis was conducted to identify distinct subgroups.

RESULTS

Attitudes scores were moderate to low, with three profiles identified: "negative attitudes-high independence" (26.6%), "general attitudes" (51.8%), and "positive attitudes-high affirmation" (21.6%). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, mental health literacy, and stigma were significant predictors of subgroup membership.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings reveal significant heterogeneity in attitudes toward psychological help-seeking among patients with CRC. Medical staff should tailor interventions to patient subgroups, particularly older individuals and those with low mental health literacy or high perceived stigma, to improve access to psychological care. This study offers evidence-based guidance for developing targeted mental health interventions in oncology care.