A latent class analysis of resilience and its relationship with depressive symptoms in the parents of children with cancer

Purpose Depressive symptoms are among the most common afflictions that plague the parents of children with cancer. Given that resilience is an important factor that inhibits the development and progression of depressive symptoms, it can be harnessed as a potential solution for this psychological issue. This study aimed to identify the latent classes of resilience in the parents of children with cancer and explore the relationships of these classes with depressive symptoms. Methods The study was conducted in three tertiary hospitals in mainland China. The parents of children (0-19 years old) with cancer were invited to participate in the study. We used standardised self-report questionnaires to collect data. A latent class analysis was performed to identify the classes of resilience in the parents of children with cancer. Results The study recruited 258 participants. Four classes of resilience were identified, namely, good adaptation and optimism (24.9%), high strength and low control (12.1%), moderate resilience (37.3%), and maladaptation and low tenacity (25.6%). The mothers (OR = 3.48, P = 0.003) and parents with more than one child (OR = 2.73, P = 0.023) were more likely to belong to the maladaptation and low tenacity class. The depressive symptoms experienced by the participants differed significantly between the four classes of resilience (F = 30.80, P < 0.001). Conclusion Targeted interventions should be developed and implemented based on the characteristics of each class of resilience to maximise the effectiveness of interventions and thereby promote parental well-being.