The Relationship Between Psychological Resilience and Social Support Levels in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between psychological resilience and social support in hemodialysis patients in Turkey. Methods: This descriptive, comparative, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted with 100 patients who underwent hemodialysis treatment at a university hospital between September and December 2016. In the study, a questionnaire form including sociodemographic data as well as data regarding the disease, the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used. For statistical evaluation, the Mann-Whitney U-test, the independent t-test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Pearson’s correlation analysis were used for statistical evaluation. Results: A very strong and significant relationship was found between the multidimensional perceived social support scale and the resilience mean scores (r=0.78, p<0.001). It was determined that the patients perceived the highest support from their families which was followed by friends and private support respectively. Conclusion: HD nurses should routinely diagnose the psychological resilience status and social support status of HD patients. Initiatives to promote psychological resilience and mobilize social support resources should be reflected and applied in their nursing care plans.