Determining self- efficacy and perceived social support levels in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Background and Aim: COPD is a long-term, generally irreversible, and progressive disease. This study was conducted to determine the levels of self-efficacy and perceived social support in individuals with COPD. Material and Methods: The study was planned as descriptive and cross-sectional. The study was conducted with 82 COPD patients who applied to the Chest Diseases Clinic of a state hospital between 15.07.2023 and 15.01.2024, via face-to-face interviews. Data were collected using a questionnaire form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and COPD Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES). Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 28 package program; Relationships between two independent numerical variables were analyzed with the Pearson Correlation coefficient, differences between two independent groups were analyzed with the Independent Samples t Test, and differences between more than two independent groups were analyzed with One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Values of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of individuals with COPD was 66.66±9.55 years and 63.4% were male. As the patients' MSPSS Family Support sub-dimension scores increased, Negative Impactscores and Emotional Statescores increased (p<0.05). As the patients' family support increased, their self-efficacy levels also increased. As age increased, the CSES Emotional State and Behavioral Risk Factor sub-dimension scores also increased (p<0.05). As the disease stage of the patient increased, the COPD Self-Efficacy Scale Total, Negative Impact, Emotional State, Physical Effort, Weather/Environmental Impact and Behavioral Risk Factor sub-dimension scores decreased (p<0.05). The mean MSPSS Family Support score was found to be statistically significantly higher in married individuals than in single/widowed individuals, in individuals living with spouse and children than in individuals living with other individuals, in individuals with balanced/high income/expenses than in individuals with income less than expenses (p<0.05). The mean score of the Friend Support sub-dimension of the MSDS of non-smokers was found to be statistically significantly higher than that of smokers (p<0.05). The mean COPD Self-Efficacy Scale score was found to be higher in those with balanced/high income/expenditure compared to those with low income/expenditure, in those with primary school education compared to those who were illiterate, and in men compared to women (p<0.05). As the duration of COPD diagnosis and the stage of the disease of the patient progressed, the mean COPD Self-Efficacy Scale score of individuals who applied to the emergency room due to COPD in the last 1 year and used assistive devices at home was found to be low (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this research; COPD individuals were found to have good levels of social support and moderate levels of self-efficacy. Appropriate nursing care planning is recommended to improve the social support systems of COPD individuals and increase their self-efficacy levels. Keywords: COPD, Self-efficacy, social support, nursing