Mental resilience in children with intermittent exotropia: a latent profile analysis

This study aims to investigate the levels of psychological resilience, identify distinct subgroups of psychological resilience in children with intermittent exotropia (IXT) and to explore the key factors that differentiate these subgroups. A cross-sectional study. The study explored the characteristics and influencing factors of psychological resilience in children with IXT. Data were collected from IXT patients between June 2023 and January 2024. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale was used as the research tool, and latent profile analysis was applied to identify subgroups based on psychological resilience levels. Chi-square tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multinomial logistic regression were employed to examine the factors affecting resilience in IXT children. A total of 302 participants were included, classified into three groups: low resilience (18.87%), moderate resilience (38.75%), and high resilience (42.38%). Compared to the high resilience group, self-esteem (OR = 0.795, <i>p</i> < 0.001), self-efficacy (OR = 0.897, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and the relationship with the primary caregiver (OR = 0.316, <i>p</i> = 0.011) were key factors distinguishing the moderate and low resilience groups. The low resilience group also exhibited higher levels of depression (OR = 1.194, <i>p</i> = 0.036). The heterogeneity in resilience among children with IXT underscores the need for tailored psychological interventions. Lower psychological resilience in children with IXT may lead to an increased risk of depression, which could hinder recovery. The heterogeneity in resilience trajectories among the three groups indicates the need for tailored psychological interventions based on specific characteristics of each subgroup, particularly in preoperative assessments for strabismus correction surgery. The findings will serve as a reference for enhancing psychological resilience, accelerating postoperative recovery, and preventing psychological issues in children with IXT.