title: Perspectives of aging among persons living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: Among pulmonary rehabilitation attendees, we explored their tendency to downplay versus acknowledge physical and psychosocial health limitations, and the subsequent impact either strategy had on how they perceive their own aging process. Participants (N = 87) were 44 to 82 years of age, and diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire measured their health limitations. The Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire captured their perspectives of aging. Participants downplayed their symptoms and psychosocial impact, and remained most positive about psychosocial loss and carefully reserved about psychological growth. Acknowledged activity impairment had negative consequences, however, for their perspectives of physical change. These findings signify a balanced identity and perspective of aging that supports the Identity Process Theory. We encourage nurses and other practitioners, and researchers in pulmonary rehabilitation setting, to use this theory to better understand how people with COPD adapt to aging.
authors: University of Alberta–Nursing, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada. gail.low@ualberta.ca
authors: Gail
authors: G
authors: Low
authors: Carolyn
authors: C
authors: Ross
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Stickland
authors: Donna
authors: D
authors: Wilson
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Wong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Identity Process Theory; aging attitudes; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; health limitations research; pulmonary rehabilitation