Associations between self-conscious emotions and need for self-management support in people with COPD

Stigma is an unmet public health priority in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for which novel strategies are warranted.1 Stigma can generate negative self-conscious emotions, which are important to assess to develop tailored interventions. The aim was to investigate associations between self-conscious emotions and need for self-management support in people with COPD. People with COPD were recruited in primary care, specialty care, and through advertisement. In total, 136 individuals (68% women, mean age 73 years, 78% moderate to severe COPD) were included in the analysis. Associations between the subscales in the Self-Conscious Emotions in COPD Questionnaire and the Self-Management Assessment Scale (SMASc) were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Emotions related to The burden of living with a disability had a moderate association with a need for support for Emotional adjustment (r=0.449, p<0.001), while the association with the other SMASc subscales were significant, but small (r=0.181-0.286). Emotions related to The desire to hide vulnerability had small associations with need for Social support (r=0.189, p=0.032), support of Goals for the future (r=0.178, p=0.041), and Emotional adjustment (r=0.177, p=0.044). In conclusion, our findings indicate a moderate correlation between the burden of disease and the need for emotional self-management support. This suggests a path for future research into the role of stigma in COPD. Reference: 1. Mathioudakis AG, et al. Stigma: An unmet public health priority in copd. Lancet Respir Med. 2021;9(9):955-6.