The effects of personal resources and coping strategies on depression and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about how personal resources and coping strategies influence depression and anxiety in patients with COPD. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of personal resources on the coping strategies and psychological responses and the mediating role of coping strategies on the relationship of personal resources to depression and anxiety in patients with COPD using a path model.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional correlational study. The participants were 209 patients diagnosed with COPD in South Korea. Personal resources were defined as knowledge of COPD, self-efficacy, and social support. Coping includes both problem-oriented and affect-oriented coping strategies.

RESULTS: Higher levels of knowledge of the disease were associated with fewer depressive symptoms; and this relationship was partially mediated by problem-oriented coping strategies. Higher levels of self-efficacy were related to less depression and anxiety. Patients with more perceived social support experienced fewer depressive symptoms through the use of problem-oriented coping strategies.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that problem-oriented coping strategies may explain the mechanism of how knowledge of the disease and social support influence depressive symptoms for patients with COPD. Further interventions focusing on modifiable factors, including personal resources and problem-oriented coping strategies, are warranted to improve psychological outcomes for patients with COPD.