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This study aimed to identify the predictive role of direct resources (educational level and marital status) and self-management abilities on physical health and depressive symptoms in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Our cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included 1570 CVD patients, 917 COPD patients, and 412 patients with diabetes.

Physical health and depressive symptoms of COPD patients was lower than those of CVD and diabetic patients. Correlation analyses indicated that self-management abilities were strong indicators for physical health and depressive symptoms (all p<0.001). This relationship was strongest for depressive symptoms. Self-management abilities were related to educational level in all groups (all p<0.001). Regression analyses revealed that self-management abilities were …