Latent profiles of parenting concerns and influencing factors among Chinese breast cancer mothers: a mixed-methods study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify latent profiles of parenting concerns among Chinese mothers with breast cancer and explore associated influencing factors using a mixed-methods approach.

METHOD: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. A convenience sample of 240 mothers with breast cancer raising minor children was recruited from a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province, China, between October 2024 and July 2025. Parenting concerns were assessed using the Parenting Concerns Questionnaire. Latent profile analysis and multinomial logistic regression were conducted to identify parenting concern profiles and associated factors. Subsequently, 19 participants representing different profiles were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Three latent profiles were identified: Balanced-Adaptation (59.6%), Support-Dependent (10.8%), and Comprehensive High-Concern (29.6%). Compared with the Balanced-Adaptation group, higher illness perception was associated with increased likelihood of belonging to the Support-Dependent (OR = 1.048, 95% CI 1.046-1.050, P < 0.001) and Comprehensive High-Concern groups (OR = 1.093, 95% CI 1.063-1.124, P < 0.001). Higher resignation coping scores and poorer family functioning were also associated with higher parenting concerns. Qualitative findings supported and enriched the quantitative results by providing deeper insights into parenting-related distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Parenting concerns among mothers with breast cancer are heterogeneous. Early identification of profile-specific characteristics may facilitate tailored, family-centered interventions.