Latent Profiles of Fear of Cancer Recurrence and Associations with Physical and Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract Background Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a multidimensional construct; however, few studies have meaningfully integrated FCR severity (i.e., level of fear) with FCR-related concepts (e.g., triggers). Purpose The present study determined (a) latent profiles of FCR; (b) socio-demographic variations between identified profiles; (c) interactions between identified profiles and resilience and rumination on chronic physical disorders, depressive/anxiety symptoms, and quality of life. Methods The present study is a secondary data analysis of which 404 cancer survivors were included in this study. All participants completed the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory and measures of resilience, rumination, depressive/anxiety symptoms, and quality of life. Results Latent profile analysis identified three distinct profiles based on varying levels of FCR and FCR-related concepts; Profile 1 “Low FCR” (n = 108; 26.4%), Profile 2 “Moderate FCR, High coping” (n = 197; 49.4%), and Profile 3 “High FCR, distress and impairment” (n = 99; 24.3%). Profile 3 was associated with younger age and history of radiotherapy. Latent profiles of FCR significantly interacted with resilience and rumination on depressive/anxiety symptoms. Conclusions Latent profile analysis integrates FCR severity and FCR-related concepts to support a nuanced understanding of FCR. Our results suggest specific points of intervention, which extend beyond addressing FCR severity.