Nursing Open · 2 authors, 2 centres
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This cross-sectional study of 202 COPD patients used structural equation modeling to test a model based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms. The central result was that disease severity, uncertainty, and symptom experience were direct factors affecting functional performance, and uncertainty influenced performance indirectly by reducing symptom experience.
This model-testing study used a cross-sectional design to examine factors influencing functional performance in 202 outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to test a hypothetical model based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms. Key findings indicated that higher disease severity, uncertainty, and symptom experience were associated with lower functional performance. Uncertainty also indirectly affected performance by increasing symptom experience. Social support and symptom experience were linked to higher coping, but coping did not mediate other relationships. The implications suggest that interventions to reduce disease severity, uncertainty, and symptom experience could improve functional performance in COPD patients.
