Adjustment to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the importance of psychological factors

Abstract

Research has indicated a weak relationship between the degree of physical problems and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The importance of adaptive psychological functioning to maintain optimum quality of life has long been recognized, but there is a lack of empirical evidence concerning the nature of psychological factors involved in adjustment to COPD.Ninety-two males completed questionnaires to determine their coping strategies, levels of self-efficacy of symptom management and social support. Adjustment was measured in terms of depression, anxiety and quality of life. Symptom severity, socioeconomic status, duration of disease and age, which have been demonstrated to be of consequence in COPD, were used as control variables in hierarchical multiple regression analyses.Higher levels of catastrophic withdrawal coping strategies and lower levels of selfefficacy of symptom management were associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety and a reduced quality of life. Higher levels of positive social support were linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety, while higher levels of negative social support were linked to higher levels of depression and anxiety.To maximize quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, psychological factors need to be carefully assessed and addressed.

Changes in personal control as a predictor of quality of life after pulmonary rehabilitation

“…In addition, changes during rehabilitation in self-efficacy contributed to the explanation of the social and psychological QoL domains after rehabilitation, which is consistent with earlier findings reported by Lox and Freehill [13] and McCathie et al [27].…”

“…Previous studies have shown that perceptions of personal control are important factors related to the outcomes of pulmonary rehabilitation [14,[24][25][26][27], since these perceptions influence patients' motivation [20] to make the required efforts during rehabilitation. Due to the often multiple problems and the diminished sense of personal control of COPD patients, their treatment is rather difficult.…”

Social support as a predictor of perceived health status in patients with multiple sclerosis

“…MS patients may experience negative aspects from the social environment. Negative interactions are salient and unexpected, so they can have a stronger impact on the perceived health status in MS patients [35].…”

Psychometric Properties

“…In some studies, a high score indicates high self-efficacy (8,23), whereas it indicates low self-efficacy in other studies (7,22). Furthermore, there is no consensus on how the CSES score should be presented.…”