Association between health locus of control and self-management in stable COPD patients: the mediation effect of coping styles.

BACKGROUND: Patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have poor self-management ability. Health locus of control and different coping styles can affect their self-management. This study aims to explore the relationship between health locus of control, coping styles and self-management, which investigate the mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between health locus of control and self-management in Chinese patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: In the cross-sectional study, a total of 306 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were assessed on health locus of control, coping styles and self-management by self-reported questionnaires in China. Pearman’s correlation was used to test the links between variables and to verify the indirect effects between variables by constructing a structural equation model. RESULTS: A total of 306 valid questionnaires were collected. The total scores of health locus of control, coping styles and self-management were 65.69 ± 14.19, 50.75 ± 8.21 and 176.37 ± 34.19, respectively. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that the health locus of control of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease revealed that the total score was positively correlated with self-management, positively correlated with the level of coping styles. Coping styles positively correlated with the level of self-management. Coping styles are a partial mediator of health locus of control and self-management behaviors, and the mediating effect accounts for 46.9% of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified coping styles as mediators in the relationship between health locus of control and self-management. These findings enhance the understanding of this mechanism and support the development of comprehensive self-management interventions. In clinical practice, nurses should assess the health locus of control and coping styles of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Encouraging patients to adopt adaptive coping strategies may contribute to improved self-management.