Abstract:

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate depression and perceived social support levels and affecting factors in hemodialysis patients Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross section study was conducted hemodialysis patients in two hemodialysis units. Patient identification forms representing the information, Beck Depression Inventory and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used for the data collection. Results: It was found that hemodialysis patients was 44.7% of them had mild level depression, 20.4% of had medium depression and 1.6% of had severe depression. It was also identified that the multidimensional scale of perceived social support score average of hemodialysis patients was 63.91±14.2 The mean friend subscale score of the patients over the age of 60 was found to be low (p<0.05). In our study, the difference in the total BDI score average depending on the hemodialysis patients’gender was statistically detected as significant(p<0.01). The depression level of female patients was higher than that of male patients. There was a significant negative correlation between BDI total score and social support scale (r= -0.225, p= 0.000). Conclusion: In this study, a negative relationship was found between social support and depression. High-risk patients (such as female gender, low education level, unemployed) should be screened for depression. Attempts to strengthen the social support networks of hemodialysis patients will contribute to the reduction of depression.

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