Lung function, adherence and denial in asthma patients who exhibit a repressive coping style

Authors: L Cooke¹; LB Myers¹; N Derakshan²

Source: Psychology, Health and Medicine, Volume 8, Number 1, February 2003 , pp. 35-44(10)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Lung function, adherence and denial were explored in asthma patients who possess a repressive coping style (repressors). Repressors (low trait anxiety, high defensiveness) and non-repressors were identified by their trait anxiety and defensiveness scores. Participants completed measures of self-reported adherence, denial, morbidity and demographic data. A lung function measure (FEV₁) was obtained for a subset of patients. Repressors, who comprised 33% of the sample, had significantly worse lung function but scored significantly higher on self-reported adherence, compared to non-repressors. Age was positively correlated with adherence. Although repressive coping was positively correlated with denial, denial was significantly correlated with defensiveness but not trait anxiety. The study provides evidence that repressors are an important group to identify in future studies of asthma.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1354850021000059241

Affiliations: 1: Unit of Health Psychology, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences University College London 2: School of Psychology University of Leeds UK

Publication date: 2003-02-01

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