Coping mediates the relationship between disease severity and illness intrusiveness among chronically ill patients

Natalie E Hundt; Benjamin A Bensadon; Melinda A Stanley; Nancy J Petersen; Mark E Kunik; Michael R Kauth; Jeffrey A Cully

doi:10.1177/1359105313509845

Coping mediates the relationship between disease severity and illness intrusiveness among chronically ill patients

J Health Psychol. 2015 Sep;20(9):1186-95. doi: 10.1177/1359105313509845. Epub 2013 Dec 1.

Authors

Natalie E Hundt¹, Benjamin A Bensadon², Melinda A Stanley³, Nancy J Petersen⁴, Mark E Kunik³, Michael R Kauth³, Jeffrey A Cully³

Affiliations

¹ Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), USA Baylor College of Medicine, USA VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, USA Natalie.Hundt@va.gov.
² University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, USA Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, USA.
³ Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), USA Baylor College of Medicine, USA VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, USA.
⁴ Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), USA Baylor College of Medicine, USA.

PMID: 24296739
DOI: 10.1177/1359105313509845

Abstract

Reducing perceptions of illness intrusiveness may improve quality of life and mental health among patients with cardiopulmonary disease. To better understand relationships between coping style, locus of control, perceived illness intrusiveness, and disease severity, we analyzed data from 227 older Veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure. Regressions revealed illness intrusiveness to be associated with younger age and greater disease severity, less internal locus of control, and avoidant/emotion-focused coping. Avoidant/emotion-focused coping but not active coping mediated the relationship between illness severity and illness intrusiveness. Findings suggest that supportive psychological interventions may reduce illness intrusiveness by targeting an avoidant/emotion-focused coping style and associated behaviors.

Keywords: chronic disease; coping; illness intrusiveness; locus of control.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological*
Aged
Chronic Disease / psychology
Female
Heart Failure / psychology*
Humans
Internal-External Control*
Male
Middle Aged
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / psychology*
Severity of Illness Index*
Veterans / psychology