Objective To explore the relationship between alexithymia and sense of coherence in breast cancer patients based on a network analysis model, to accurately identify core and bridge nodes in the network, and to provide key targets for precise interventions from a network perspective.
Methods A total of 324 breast cancer patients were selected as survey subjects by the convenience sampling method. The patients were investigated by using the General Information Questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Sense of Coherence-13. Network model construction and related index calculation based on R language were performed.
Results Difficulty in describing feelings (strength=0.80) had the highest strength node in the network, followed by manageability (strength=0.59) and comprehensibility (strength=0.54). The node with the highest strength of bridges in the network was meaningfulness (bridge strength=0.37), followed by externally oriented thinking (bridge strength=0.33).
Conclusion Network analysis not only reveals the relationships among variables, but also pinpoints key nodes in the network. In the network of alexithymia and sense of coherence in breast cancer patients, descriptive affective disorder is the core node, while sense of meaning and extroverted thinking are the bridge nodes. Healthcare professionals can develop precise interventions for the core and bridge nodes to improve the mental health of breast cancer patients.
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