Psychological Distress and Perceived Social Support Levels of Patients with Chronic Hemodialysis

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 objectives 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 Kessler Psychological Distress Scale total and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale total and subscale scores (p