Latent profile analysis and associated factors of good death expectations among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer

To identify latent profiles of good death expectations among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer and to examine factors associated with profile membership. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to April 2026 in three tertiary hospitals in Northeast China. A total of 393 family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer were recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Simplified Good Death Expectation Scale, the Cancer Patient Family Primary Caregiver Burden Scale, the Chinese Version of the Decisional Engagement Scale, and the Social Support Rating Scale. Latent profile analysis was performed to identify profiles, and multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associated factors. Three profiles were identified: a low-expectation group (model-estimated proportion 22.9%), a moderate-expectation group (65.9%), and a high-expectation group (11.2%). Age, residence, caregiver burden, decision engagement, and social support were associated with profile membership. Compared with the high-expectation group, rural caregivers and those with higher caregiver burden were more likely to be classified in the low-expectation group, whereas higher decision engagement and social support were associated with a lower likelihood of low-expectation group membership. Good death expectations were heterogeneous, with three profiles identified. Age, residence, caregiver burden, decision engagement, and social support were associated with profile membership. These findings may inform tailored palliative care support.