Hemodialysis is a therapy to help extend their life as a part of alternative renal function applied to terminal chronic renal failure(CRF) cases. But it cannot work perfectly like our kidney, and may cause even serious physical, mental and psychosocia...
Hemodialysis is a therapy to help extend their life as a part of alternative renal function applied to terminal chronic renal failure(CRF) cases. But it cannot work perfectly like our kidney, and may cause even serious physical, mental and psychosocial health problems to hemodialysis cases that require long-term medical treatments.
That is why many medical studies have focused on psychosocial adaptation of hemodialysis cases, but there has been not yet an study on the extent of psychosocial adaptation depending on dialytic duration of hemodialysis cases. Thus, the purpose of this study is to measure the extent of psychosocial adaptation and quality of life depending on dialytic duration of hemodialysis cases, so that it can contribute to developing possible nursing interventions for better quality of life of hemodialysis cases in nursing practices.
Based on findings from a previous study(Reichsman and Levy, 1972), this study classified dialytic duration broadly into 3 periods, i.e. honeymoon period( 6th week~6th month), depression period(7th~12th month) and long-term adaptation period(1 year or later after hemodialysis treatment).
For data sampling, this study selected total 247 hemodialysis cases at 3 general hospitals and 5 hemodialysis clinics in the metropolitan area of Korea.
As a part of measurement tool for data collection, this study conducted factor analysis on Psychosocial Adaptation Scale(originally developed by Chaplin, Yepez, Shorvon and Floyd(1990) and adapted by Mun Seong-mi (2000)) and then modified and complemented the scale for data research. This scale had high reliability(Cronbach‘s α =.94). Also, this study adopted Quality of Life Scale(originally developed by Bang Hwal-lan(1991) and modified/complemented by Min Gyeong-ae(2004)). When originally developed, the Quality of Life Scale had high reliability(Cronbach‘s α =.94) as also demonstrated in this study(Cronbach‘s α =.91).
Survey data were collected from Oct. 1 to 20, 2007, and all valid data were processed using SPSS 12.0 program for t-test, one-way ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.
The results of analysis can be outlined as follows:
1. It was found that our hemodialysis cases scored 2.90 points on the average in psychosocial adaptation on 5-point scale. In view of subordinate domains, it was found that our hemodialysis cases showed the highest adaptation to communications with family members(mean score = 3.49), which was followed by their trust for medical staffs(mean score= 3.45), anxiety about their diseases(mean score= 2.77), career life(mean score = 2.69), and emotional responses(mean score = 2.57), but showed the lowest adaptation to sociable/leisure life(mean score= 2.41).
2. It was found that there were significant differences in psychosocial adaptation depending on dialytic duration(F=4.315, p=.014). Across whole dialytic duration, it was noted that the psychosocial adaptation in depression period scored 2.70 on the average, which was significantly lower than that in long-term adaptation period(mean score = 2.98).
3. It was found that our hemodialysis cases showed significantly different psychosocial adaptation depending on their demographic characteristics such as age(F=5.085, p=.002), marital status(F=3.201, p=.042) and academic career( F=3.628, p=.014). For age distribution, cases at age 20's and 30's showed higher psychosocial adaptation than those at age 60's. For marital status, unmarried group showed higher psychosocial adaptation than divorced/ bereaved/separated group. And for academic career, it was noted that university graduate or higher group showed lower psychosocial adaptation than high school graduate group.
4. The mean score of our hemodialysis cases in quality of life amounted to 2.92 points on 5-point scale. In view of subordinate domains, it was found that their quality of life scored highest points(mean score = 3.17) in life attitudes on the average, which was followed by physical symptoms (mean score = 3.14), family supports(mean score = 3.04), health senses (mean score = 2.86) and emotional factors(mean score = 2.85), but scored lowest points in social activities(mean score = 2.60).
5. It was found that there were significant differences in quality of life depending on dialytic duration(F=9.981, p<.001). Our hemodialysis cases scored 3.03 points on the average in their psychosocial adaptation during long-term adaptation period across whole dialytic duration, which was significantly higher than mean scores measured during honeymoon period( mean score = 2.82) and depression period(mean score = 2.73).
6. With regard to demographic characteristics, it was found that there were significant differences in quality of life depending upon age(F=3.936, p=.009) and religion(t=1.408, p=.022). In terms of age distribution, cases at age 20's and 30's showed better quality of life than those at age 50's. And religious group showed better quality of life than unreligious group.
7. It was found that psychosocial adaptation was in significantly positive correlations with quality of life(r=.732, p<.001). Based on dialytic duration, it was found that psychosocial adaptation was in significantly positive correlations with quality of life during honeymoon period(r=.733, p<. 001), de pression period(r=.743, p<.001) and long-term adaptation period(r= .722, p<.001).
8. According to the results of multiple regression analysis on possible effects on quality of life, it was found that psychosocial adaptation had explanatory power as high as 53.3% on quality of life. Based on dialytic duration, it was found that honeymoon period, depression period and longterm adaptation period had explanatory power as high as 52.8%, 54.4% and 51.8% respectively on quality of life.
Summing up, it is concluded that there are significant differences in psychosocial adaptation and quality of life of hemodialysis cases depending on dialytic duration. Therefore, it is important that hemodialysis nurses provide flexible nursing interventions depending on dialytic duration. In addition, this study comes to another finding that the psychosocial adaptation is a major factor involved with improving the quality of life of hemodialysis cases. Hence, it is recommended to make positive use of psychosocial adaptation as a part of nursing intervention for better quality of life of hemodialysis cases.