Predictors of low levels of self-efficacy among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in South Korea.

The aim of this study was to identify related factors of low levels of self-efficacy in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). A cross-sectional research design used descriptive statistics, χ(2) test, t-test, and binary logistic regression. Two hundred and forty-five patients with COPD were recruited from five hospitals in South Korea. The COPD Self-Efficacy Scale, the Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire, Personal Resource Questionnaire 2000, BODE index, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version were utilized to assess self-efficacy, disease-related knowledge, social support, disease severity, and physical activity, respectively. The BODE index, affect-oriented coping, and duration since diagnosis of COPD were included as significant predictors of self-efficacy. These findings suggest possible screening methods to identify patients with low levels of self-efficacy and future intervention targeting for these patients would strengthen the efficiency of an intervention.