PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS, COPING, AND HARDINESS AS PREDICTORS OF OUTCOMESIN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of physiolog ic status, coping, and hardiness to exercise ability and functional st atus in 96 adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD). Exercise ability was measured by the distance walked in 12 minu tes (12MD) and functional status by the Pulmonary Functional Status Sc ale (PFSS). The mean FEV(1) and FVC were 1.61 +/- .81 and 3.08 +/- .95 L, respectively. The commitment (r = -.18) and challenge (r = -.21) c omponents of hardiness were significantly correlated with the 12MD. Th e commitment component of hardiness was significantly correlated with functional status (r = -.17). Control was not a significant variable. Physiological status, problem-solving coping, and challenge were the b est predictors of exercise ability (R(2) = .26). Physiological status and commitment were the best predictors of functional status (R(2) = . 149).