Changes in self-concept during pulmonary rehabilitation, Part 1.
The purpose of this two-part study was to describe changes in self-concept during and after a formal pulmonary rehabilitation program. A 20-item semantic meaning differential scale was administered to 37 patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were participating in a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program. Patients were asked to evaluate their past, present, and future selves on program admission, on program discharge, and 2 to 6 months after home discharge. Mean total self-concept score for the present self significantly increased between program admission and home discharge 3 weeks later (mean change 31.32 +/- 22.04, p less than 0.0001). No significant declines in self-concept were found 2 to 6 months after home discharge (p = 0.39). Men showed a significantly higher change in total self-concept score than women during the 3-week program (p = 0.03). However, the men's change score dropped significantly after home discharge (p = 0.02), suggesting a need for more intensive follow-up care than with women. The self-concept tool in this study provided an easy way to monitor subjective changes in psychologic status.
Nursing Services Department, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento 95817.
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D000368:Aged; D001242:Assertiveness; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012649:Self Concept; D012659:Semantic Differential; D012731:Sex Counseling