Gender differences in coping styles and coping effectiveness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease groups

The purpose of this comparative study was to examine the coping styles and coping effectiveness between men and women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were active in support groups for people with the disease. The entire population of the American Lung Association of Ohio, Southwestern Branch, Easy Breather’s Club (n = 1103) was sent 2 mailed surveys, the Revised Jalowiec Coping Scale1 and a demographic profile questionnaire. A total of 154 surveys were analyzed. Of this total, 43% (n = 66) were returned by men, whereas women’s response was 57% (n = 88). Men were enrolled longer in pulmonary rehabilitation programs (median = 20; interquartile range = 2-28) than women (median = 4; interquartile range = 2-24). Men were noted to be more active in pulmonary rehabilitation programs, with 22% (n = 14) compared with women 14% (n = 12). Men’s participation with an American Lung Association program yielded 9.4% (n = 6) in comparison with only 8% (n = 7) for women. The majority of this sample, 61% (n = 92), was not currently active. The total group used the optimistic coping style the most (M, 2.1; SD = 0.57). The total group also found the optimistic coping style to be the most effective (M, 2; SD = 0.61). No statistically significant gender differences existed for overall coping use, overall coping effectiveness, or with the 8 coping subscales. No coping differences for use or effectiveness were found to be related to participation in either a pulmonary rehabilitation program or the lung association program. (Heart Lung® 2000;29:367-77.)