Analysis of Latent Profiles and Influencing Factors of Patient Activation Among Colorectal Cancer Patients with an Enterostomy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential categories of patient activation among colorectal cancer ostomates and their influencing factors, thereby providing a basis for developing targeted nursing interventions and improving patients' engagement levels. METHODS: Using convenience sampling, 302 colorectal cancer ostomy patients who visited the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at a Grade A tertiary hospital in Hefei between November 2025 and May 2026 were selected as study subjects. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Patient Activation Scale, the Psychological Resilience Scale, and the Disease Acceptance Scale. Mplus 8.3 software was used to explore latent categories of activation among ostomy patients, and univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed to investigate the factors influencing these latent profiles. RESULTS: The mean activation level score for colorectal cancer ostomates was (60.70 ± 20.28) points, and participants could be classified into three latent categories: low activation-passive-dependent type (25.2%), moderate activation-knowledge-deficient type (35.1%), and high activation-relatively proactive type (39.7%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that educational level, duration of illness, number of chemotherapy sessions, psychological resilience, and disease acceptance were independent factors influencing the activation levels of ostomy patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The overall activation level among colorectal cancer patients with stomas is moderate, and distinct subtypes exist. Healthcare providers should implement stratified, targeted nursing interventions based on patients' subtypes and associated factors to enhance their activation levels, promote self-management, and improve health behaviors.