title: Stigma and optimism in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite increased life expectancy among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), few studies have examined coping among adolescents and young adults with CF. Previous research suggests that stigma associated with chronic disease is related to worse physical and psychological health, but optimism may be protective. This study examined stigma and optimism among patients with CF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two patients with CF (ages 14 to 25) completed a self-report questionnaire assessing stigma, distress, CF-specific quality of life (QoL), and optimism. Objective health data were recorded from patient medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Greater stigma was associated with lower pulmonary function, QoL, and optimism. Stigma was positively correlated with distress. Optimism moderated the relationship between stigma and anxiety (p<0.001), and between stigma and emotional functioning (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stigma is related to worse lung function and psychological health in patients with CF, but higher levels of optimism may act as a protective factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 1835 Neil Ave., Room 169, Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
authors.forename: Kendea N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 1835 Neil Ave., Room 169, Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
authors.forename: Matthew L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Free
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 1835 Neil Ave., Room 169, Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
authors.forename: Cody
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bok
authors.affiliation: The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Dr., Columbus, OH 43205, United States.
authors.forename: Karen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: McCoy
authors.affiliation: The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Dr., Columbus, OH 43205, United States.
authors.forename: Kathleen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lemanek
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 1835 Neil Ave., Room 169, Columbus, OH 43210, United States. Electronic address: emery.33@osu.edu.
authors.forename: Charles F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Emery
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D057545:Social Stigma; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Coping; Cystic fibrosis; Optimism; Quality of life; Stigma