The experience of shame in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Abstract

IntroductionIt is reported in global literature that Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may cause a wide range of psychological effects, some of them not fully explored. The aim of this study is to investigate if patients with COPD experience intense feelings of shame.ObjectivesTo find differences in shame experience between males and females, and if there is a correlation of shame with other socio-economic factors.MethodUsing the “Experience of Shame Scale” questionnaire (ESS) in 191 patients with COPD (104 men and 87 women) treated in Primary Health Care services in Greece.ResultsStatistical analysis showed relatively low scores (M 39.5 sd 14.9) for the experience of shame in COPD patients. There is no statistically significant difference of shame for marital status, education level or disease stage. Statistically significant difference shown between males and females (bodily shame P: 0.001, total shame P: 0.031), and between smokers and those who quit smoking. (characterological shame: P: 0.007 behavioral shame P: 0.030, total shame P: 0.009). Also statistically significant difference appears for bodily shame among Body Mass Index (BMI) groups (P: 009) and economic status of the patients (P: 0.008).ConclusionsPatients with COPD seem to have not heavy burden with experience of shame. Any associations of shame with some patient groups are rather expected for cultural and social reasons.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.