The relationship between mental health continuum and care dependency in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Aim To examine the relationship between mental health continuum and care dependence of hospitalized patients, who were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design Descriptive, cross‐sectional study. Methods The data were obtained from 448 inpatients diagnosed with COPD, who were treated in clinics, by utilizing questionnaires and face‐to‐face interviews between November 2021 and February 2022. The Mental Health Continuum Short Form and Care Dependency Scale were used by the researchers with the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics form created in line with the literature. The data were analysed using the SPSS 23.0 software. Results It was determined that a moderately significant positive relationship between mental health continuum and care dependency. In addition, the patient's perception of own health, disease stage and severity of dyspnoea were also found to be associated with mental health and care dependency. Gender, marital status, employment status and income level were found to be associated with mental health continuum, but not with care dependency. Advanced age, low educational level, alcohol consumption, antidepressant use and comorbidities were found to be associated with both care dependency and mental health continuum. Conclusion Individuals with COPD who have low mental health, poor health perception, high disease stage and dyspnoea severity have high care dependency. Impact In this study, it was revealed that the level of mental health continuum was significantly associated with care dependency in individuals with COPD; in addition, the individual's perception of poor health, disease stage and dyspnoea severity were other factors associated with care dependency. It is important for nurses working with individuals with COPD to evaluate the mental health of individuals with poor health perception, high disease stage and dyspnoea severity and to plan appropriate interventions to reduce care dependency. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution was required in the design, conduct, analysis or interpretation of this study. Patients/public members only contributed to data collection. Data were obtained from patients hospitalized in the chest diseases clinic of a training and research hospital.