Publication Date
4-1-2023
Journal
Psychology, Health & Medicine
DOI
10.1080/13548506.2022.2061720
PMID
35373659
PMCID
PMC9527261
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
4-1-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Humans, Adult, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Caregivers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), caregivers, dyads, social support, illness perceptions, depressive symptoms
Abstract
Individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often require support from family or friends. We examined whether invisible support - support that is provided but goes unnoticed - is related to pulmonary function, and whether this association is mediated by depressive symptoms and illness perceptions. Sixty-six dyads of individuals with COPD and their informal caregivers reported on receipt and provision of support, respectively. Those with COPD completed measures of depressive symptoms, illness perceptions and pulmonary function. Although invisible support was not directly related to pulmonary function, mediation analyses revealed a combined indirect effect through lower depressive symptoms and less negative illness perceptions. Interventions teaching skillful delivery of support to caregivers may reduce depressive symptoms and threatening illness cognitions, which may contribute to improvements in symptom burden among patients with COPD.