Experiences of self‐blame and stigmatisation for self‐infliction among individuals living with COPD

Abstract

This study illuminates the challenge of how to combine health advice on smoking cessation with nonblaming psycho-social support throughout the course of COPD. An awareness of the potential for stigma, the nature of nicotine dependence and broadened causal explanations for the disease may improve the ability of caregivers to address patient strain and its negative association with coping and well-being. Dilemmas in health communication concerning COPD patients' experience of stigma and negative emotional response should be further explored.