Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy on the Relationship between Symptom Experience and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Purpose: This descriptive study aimed to determine the mediating effect of self-efficacy on symptom experience and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Methods: Data were collected between November 7 and November 20, 2023, from patients receiving outpatient treatment at the pulmonology department of a tertiary general hospital in Jeonju City, following a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Hayes’s PROCESS macro 3.5 was utilized to verify the significance of the indirect effect of the mediator.Results: Symptom experience had a significant negative effect on self-efficacy (β=-.50, p<.001), with the model explaining 22.2% of the variance. Additionally, symptom experience negatively impacted health-related quality of life (β=-.20, p=.032), while self-efficacy positively influenced health-related quality of life (β=.33, p<.001), with the model explaining 52% of the variance. The indirect effect of symptom experience on health-related quality of life, mediated by self-efficacy, was significant (Indirect effect=-0.17, 95% Boot confidence interval=-0.33~-0.03).Conclusion: To improve health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it is essential to assess symptom experience and self-efficacy levels. Developing and implementing nursing strategies that incorporate collaborative self-management to enhance self-efficacy is crucial.