title: Helplessness, self blame and faith may impact on self management in COPD: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore how patients with COPD experience helplessness.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth interviews with 29 patients with moderate to very severe COPD. Data were analysed using a general inductive approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients focused on acute symptoms and expressed feelings of helplessness in the management of their condition; little attention was paid to longer-term strategies. For one group of patients, mostly European, self blame appeared to intensify feelings of helplessness. For a second group, mostly Pacific, a focus on faith in God, Church and family provided a more positive affect and existed alongside helplessness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians seeking to support patients to include longer term strategies in their self management will need to coach patients to experiences of short-term success, and be aware of the ways that patients experience and interpret their helplessness. Clinicians need to address self blame, and recognise patients' priorities of faith and family.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Grafton, New Zealand. n.sheridan@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Nicolette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sheridan
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kenealy
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salmon
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rea
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raphael
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Busby
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care; D029181:Spirituality