Authors

1Begoña Ruiz de Alegría Fernández, 2Nekane Basabe Baraño, 3Encarnación Fernández Prado, 4Consuelo Baños Baños

Position

¹Diploma en Enfermería. Licenciada en Antropología. Diplomada en Psicología Social. Profesora de EScuela de Vitoria-Gasteiz.²Profesora titular en la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad del País Vasco, Departamento de Psicología Social.³Diplomada en Enfermería. Servicio de Nefrología. Hospital de Galdakao, Vizkaya.⁴Diplomada en Enfermería. Servicio de Nefrología. Hospital de Txagorritxu, Álava.

Contact address

Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería de Vitoria-Gasteiz. C/ Jose Achotegui, s/n. 01009 Álava.

Contact email: begona_ruizdealegria@ehu.es

Abstract

Objective: to learn about the influence of coping strategies on quality of life and satisfaction of patients undergoing dialysis treatment.
Material and method: observational, cross-sectional study of a sample consisting of 93 people under the age of 70 receiving HDH and DPCA treatment in 3 Nephrology units in 3 different hospitals. Questionnaires on coping strategies, quality of life (SF36) and satisfaction with life were administered. Statistical analyses were adjusted by age and sex.
Results: 93 patients with a mean age of 53,67 years were included. 61 of these patients were under HDH treatment and 32 under CAPD treatment. The most frequently employed coping strategies were: search of information and problem solving, cognitive restructuration and regulated expression of emotions. The mental health component presented a significant negative association with escape/avoidance, musings, social isolation, emotional release and opposition/confrontation. Satisfaction with life presented a significant positive association with seeking of social support and cognitive restructuration and a negative association with escape/avoidance and desperation/abandonment.
Conclusions: dialysis patients who manifest poorer mental health cope with their illness by employing maladaptive avoidance mechanisms based on tension release, eating and drinking disorders, hiding their feelings, and musing. They also blame and isolate themselves as they release their emotions and anger. These behaviours stem from experiencing an intense situation which they feel they have little control over. Avoidance causes discomfort and uneasiness and mental health deterioration, while satisfaction with life (subjective well-being) is associated with finding meaning to the experience (positive reinterpretation) and social support.

Keywords:

dialysis; coping; quality of life; psychological adaptationemotional stress

Versión en Español

Título:

Vivir en diálisis: estrategias de afrontamiento y calidad de vida