Abstract:

Objective: Patients with chronic kidney failure receive hemodialysis treatment for survival. However, they experience a change in their quality of life and suffer from mental symptoms and disorders. This study had the objective of determining the psychological distress and perceived social support levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Method(s): This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the hemodialysis unit of a public hospital. The sample consisted of 29 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale. The data were analyzed using percentage distributions, means, standard deviation, median values, Spearman correlation analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis H Test. Results: The mean age of the participants was 60.66±10.66 years. Participants had high psychological distress levels (42.65±7.39) and perceived social support levels (57.06±22.24). There was a negative correlation between the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale total and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale total and subscale scores (p<0.05). While psychological distress levels of the patients created a significant difference according to gender, perceived social support levels created a significant difference according to marital status. Conclusion: The lower the social support, the higher the psychological distress in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Keywords: