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Exploring patient-centered perspectives on suicidal ideation: A mixed methods investigation in gastrointestinal cancer care

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Jul 30, 2025 version files 53.68 KB

Abstract

Many patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer experience emotional struggles, including feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts, yet these psychological needs often remain overlooked. This study was designed to better understand the mental health challenges faced by GI cancer patients—especially after treatment ends—by listening directly to their experiences through surveys and interviews. The data for this study were collected through a validated web-based survey. Any individual in the US with GI cancer (undergoing or completed treatment) was eligible to participate in this study. In phase 1, a web-based survey was distributed to cancer patients through social media and open cancer forums via an audience paneling service, Centiment. The survey contained validated questions adapted from the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4). A control question was included to maintain response integrity: “To confirm attentive reading and thoughtful responses, please select Green as your answer.” Responses failing this criterion were excluded from the analysis.

The descriptive statistics of all the variables were calculated in R (JASP Version 0.19.3). To ensure validity and reliability of the survey measures, the questions adapted from PHQ-4 and C-SSRS were converted into latent constructs, namely mental health (Factor 1) and suicidal ideation (Factor 2), respectively. The constructs were validated using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis across both groups (participants from rural Appalachia and others). Model fit was assessed by the comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker Lewis index (TLI), and Bentler Bonnet Normed fit index (NFI). Additional measures such as the parsimony normed fit index (PNFI), Bollen’s relative fit index (RFI), Bollen’s incremental fit index (IFI), and relative non-centrality index (RNI) were also observed. Reliability and validity were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, which was required to be greater than 0.70; (b) outer loadings greater than 0.50 Fornell-Larcker criterion, and the Heterotrait–Monotrait (HTMT) ratio required to be less than 0.85. Upon validating the latent constructs, the scores of each construct were extracted, and the dataset was scaled. Given the non-normal distribution of the data (based on the Shapiro–Wilk test), we used Bayesian Pearson’s Rho correlation analysis as it is more robust to non-normality than the classical Pearson correlation. Two hundred and two individuals participated, with 76 from the rural Appalachian region and 78 undergoing treatments. Quantitative analysis showed a higher prevalence of passive suicidal ideation than active planning. The post-treatment recovery period was the most emotionally challenging.