Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025
Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Moving Cupping Along Meridians for Acute Exacerbation of COPD
Published on: September 27, 2024
Relationship Between Social Support, Symptom Burden, Dyspnea, Perceived Stress, Perceived Stigma, Coping Styles, and
Xu Tian1, Lijuan Yi2, Xiaoling Liu3
1Division of Science & Technology and Foreign Affairs, Chongqing Center for Evidence-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, 400020, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Psychological distress is prevalent in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may contribute to disease progression. However, the interplay among its influencing factors remains unclear. This study aimed to explore how social support, symptom burden, dyspnea, perceived stress, perceived stigma, and coping styles impact psychological distress in stable COPD using a structural equation model (SEM).
Methods:
A convenience sample of 386 stable COPD patients was recruited from three tertiary hospitals in Chongqing, China. Data were collected using Distress Thermometer, Perceived Social Support Scale, COPD Assessment Test, the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Score, the Perceived Stress Scale 10-item version, the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness 8-item version, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were used for data collection. SEM was used for relationships among variables.
Results:
The mean psychological distress score was (3.770 ± 1.525). Positive coping style (β = -0.329, p < 0.001) and perceived social support (β = -0.750, p < 0.001) reduced psychological distress directly. In contrast, negative coping style (β = 0.360, p < 0.001), symptom burden (β = 0.317, p < 0.001), dyspnea (β = 0.396, p < 0.001), perceived stress (β = 0.268, p < 0.001), and stigma (β = 0.224, p < 0.001) increased it. Perceived social support exerted extensive indirect effects on psychological distress (total effect = -1.044) by reducing symptom burden (β = -0.681), dyspnea (β = -0.673), and negative coping style (β = -0.726), and by improving positive coping style (β = 0.781) and perceived stress (β = -0.688). Similarly, symptom burden indirectly influenced distress via coping styles (indirect effect = 0.290).
Conclusion:
Psychological distress in stable COPD patients is influenced by interrelated factors, with perceived social support playing a central role. Healthcare interventions should focus on improving coping strategies, managing symptoms, and strengthening social support to alleviate distress.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:30Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:22Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction