| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a category of diseases that are identified by progressive and chronic airflow obstruction. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is a genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency or lack of the antiprotease, alpha-1 antitrypsin, leading to the development of COPD. Data were collected as part of a larger study that was conducted by Dr. Kristen Holm and funded by the Alpha-1 Foundation. Participants were recruited through the Alpha-1 Foundation Research Registry using a mailed questionnaire. This study is the first to look specifically at the psychosocial impact of smoking history in a sample of individuals with AATD-associated COPD. The association between smoking history and the unique health, psychosocial, and perceptual characteristics of patients with AATD-associated COPD was examined. Smoking history consistently predicted 3 out of the 4 outcome variables: characterological self-blame, behavioral self-blame, and perceived family blame among individuals with AATD-associated COPD. Perceived family criticism was not predicted by smoking history. |
