The relationship between depressive symptoms and coping style on asthma outcomes in older adults

To examine the impact of coping styles in older adults with asthma on the prospective relationship between depressive symptoms and asthma outcomes, and how their perceptions of social support influenced their coping styles.

Adults 60 and over with asthma were recruited and interviewed about their experiences of asthma, depression, and other psychosocial factors over three time points (Baseline, 6-month, and 12-month visits). Structural equation models examined the mediating roles of coping styles in the relationship between depressive symptoms (assessed by BDI-II) and asthma outcomes (i.e., asthma control, asthma quality of life, asthma-related distress, asthma-related hospitalizations, and oral corticosteroid use) and the mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between depressive symptoms and coping style.

455 participants were included in this study. Overall, 33.9% of the study population self-identified as Black and 32.8% as Hispanic. Depressive symptoms at baseline predicted less spiritual coping at 6 months (β =  − 0.15, p = 0.03), more negative coping at 6 months (β = 0.44, p < .0001), and worse asthma outcomes at 12 months (β = 0.31, p < .0001). None of the coping styles significantly mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and asthma outcomes. Perceived social support mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and positive coping, such that more depressive symptoms predicted less perceived social support, which in turn resulted in less positive coping engagement (β =  − 0.06, p = 0.03).

This study demonstrates that in older adults with asthma depressive symptoms impact perceived social support, coping strategy selection (including spiritual coping), and subsequent asthma outcomes.