Psycho-Behavioral Profiles and Depressive Symptoms Among First-Ever Stroke Survivors Within 6 Months After Stroke: A Latent Profile Analysis

Background/Objectives: To identify latent psycho-behavioral profiles among stroke survivors, examine the associations between these profiles and depressive symptoms, and explore factors associated with profile membership. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included survivors of a first-ever stroke recruited from hospital inpatient settings in Nantong and Taizhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Latent profile analysis was used to identify psycho-behavioral subgroups based on behavioral activation, behavioral inhibition, cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, and social support. The Bolck–Croon–Hagenaars method was used to examine differences in depressive symptoms across profiles, and multinomial logistic regression with the R3STEP procedure, adjusted for sex, age, education, monthly income, stroke phase, and Modified Barthel Index, was used to analyze factors associated with profile membership. Results: A total of 477 first-ever stroke survivors were included. Four distinct psycho-behavioral profiles were identified: the Low Social Support Group (31.45%), the High Inhibition–High Suppression Group (11.11%), the High Activation–High Reappraisal Group (42.77%), and the High Support–High Suppression Group (14.68%). Bolck–Croon–Hagenaars analyses revealed significant differences in depressive symptoms, with the High Activation–High Reappraisal Group reporting the least depressive symptoms. In multinomial logistic regression, lower monthly income, acute stroke phase, and lower functional status (Modified Barthel Index) were significantly associated with membership in less adaptive profiles. Conclusions: Stroke survivors show substantial heterogeneity in psycho-behavioral patterns, which are associated with depressive symptoms. The findings highlight the value of person-centered psycho-behavioral assessment and support the development of tailored interventions for the early assessment and management of post-stroke depression.