An investigation of the relationship between illness perception and anger expression styles in patients diagnosed with COPD

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between illness perception and anger expression styles in patients diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Material and Method: This research was conducted to examine the relationship between illness perception and anger expression styles in individuals diagnosed with COPD. The study has a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design. It was carried out between October 10, 2023, and July 11, 2025, in two public hospitals affiliated with the Diyarbakır Provincial Health Directorate. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The study group consisted of 101 individuals who applied to or were hospitalized in pulmonology outpatient clinics, pulmonology clinics, or general ıntensive care units and were diagnosed with COPD during the specified dates. The data collection tools included the Participant Information Form, the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ), and the Trait Anger and Anger Expression Scale (TAAES). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.00, employing descriptive statistics and the Spearman correlation test. Results: A negative and very weak significant correlation was found between the symptom subscale of the IPQ (Illness Perception Questionnaire) and the total score of the STAXI (State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory) (r = -0.25, p = 0.01), between the Trait Anger Subscale and the total score (r = -0.19, p = 0.04), and between the Anger Expression Style Subscale and the total score (r = -0.28, p = 0.004). In addition, a positive and very weak correlation was identified between perceptions regarding the causes of the illness and trait anger (r = 0.22, p = 0.02). Conclusion: It has been observed that there is a significant relationship between the disease perception and anger expression styles of COPD patients. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric patients should be evaluated with a holistic approach in terms of both physical and psychological aspects and that psychosocial support programs for anger management should be planned and implemented. Keywords: COPD, illness perception, anger, anger expression style, nursing