%0 Journal Article
%T Characterizing the post-traumatic growth trajectory in gastric cancer survivors: a population-based longitudinal study.
%A Zhu X
%A Qu Y
%A Zhang Y
%A Jin S
%A Wang H
%A Wang L
%A Zhuang S
%J Support Care Cancer
%V 32
%N 7
%D 2024 Jul 3
%M 38958751
%F 3.359
%R 10.1007/s00520-024-08697-8
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Post-traumatic growth can improve the quality of life of cancer survivors. The objective of this study was to investigate post-traumatic growth heterogeneity trajectory in perioperative gastric cancer survivors, and to identify characteristics that predict membership for each trajectory.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Gastric cancer survivors (n = 403) were recruited before surgery, their baseline assessment (including post-traumatic growth and related characteristics) was completed, and post-traumatic growth levels were followed up on the day they left the intensive care unit, at discharge, and 1 month after discharge. Latent growth mixture mode was used to identify the heterogeneous trajectory of post-traumatic growth, and the core predictors of trajectory subtypes were explored using a decision tree model.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Three post-traumatic growth development trajectories were identified among gastric cancer survivors: stable high of PTG group (20.6%), fluctuation of PTG group (44.4%), persistent low of PTG group (35.0%). The decision tree model showed anxiety, coping style, and psychological resilience-which was the primary predictor-might be used to predict the PTG trajectory subtypes of gastric cancer survivors.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>There was considerable variability in the experience of post-traumatic growth among gastric cancer survivors. Recognition of high-risk gastric cancer survivors who fall into the fluctuation or persistent low of PTG group and provision of psychological resilience-centered support might allow medical professionals to improve patients' post-traumatic growth and mitigate the impact of negative outcomes.