title: Hope, optimism, and self-care among Better Breathers Support Group members with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the levels of hope, optimism, and self-care of persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who attend community-based Better Breathers Support Group (BBSG) meetings. A convenience sample of 68 BBSG members from 14 groups in three southeastern states participated. The data were collected with a questionnaire set composed of a demographic form and three previously tested research instruments: the Herth Hope Index (HHI), the Alberto Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Self-care Behavior Inventory (COPDSC), and the Life Orientation Test--Revised (LOT-R). The findings (n = 68) include a significant and positive relationship between the HHI and COPDSC (r = .39; p > .01), between the LOT-R and COPDSC (r = .41; p > .001), and between the LOT-R and HHI (r = .59; p > .001). So, those participants with higher Hope and Optimism have higher levels of Self-care. We concluded the participants were fairly optimistic (LOT-R average = 23.75+/-4.49) and hopeful (HHI average 39.47+/-5.61). The average score on the COPDSC was 141.57 (+/-14.76) indicating a high level of self-care.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA. jalberto@georgiasouthern.edu
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alberto
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Joyner
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support