Effects of interpersonal relationships and forgiveness on post-traumatic growth in hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Post-traumatic growth is regarded as a screening indicator for quality of life of hemodialysis patients. Interpersonal relationships and forgiveness of hemodialysis patients may play an important role in improving post-traumatic growth. Few studies reveal the relationship between interpersonal relationships, forgiveness, and post-traumatic growth. This study aimed to explore the relationships among interpersonal relationships, forgiveness, and post-traumatic growth in a sample of hemodialysis patients and analyzed the influencing factors associated with post-traumatic growth in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study involving convenience sample from August to October 2022, 369 hemodialysis patients from nine hospitals completed the Interpersonal Relationship Comprehensive Diagnosis Scale, Heartland Forgiveness Scale, Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, and demographic characteristics and clinical information. Data were analyzed using SPSS and multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the variables associated with the scores of post-traumatic growth.

Results: Interpersonal relationships showed a significant negative correlation with forgiveness (r = -0.251, p< 0.01) and a negative correlation with post-traumatic growth (r = -0.112, p = 0.02). A significant positive correlation was found between forgiveness and post-traumatic growth (r = 0.169, p< 0.01). In the regression analysis model, gender (β = 0.195, p< 0.01), marital status (β = 0.156, p< 0.01), number of complications (β =-0.194, p< 0.01), interpersonal relationships (β =-0.098, p= 0.03), and forgiveness (β = 0.127, p= 0.01) impacted post-traumatic growth significantly.

Conclusions: There were significant correlations among interpersonal relationships, forgiveness, and post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic growth in hemodialysis patients was related to gender, marital status, number of complications, interpersonal relationships, and forgiveness. Number of complications, interpersonal relationships, and forgiveness should be monitored and positively managed to improve effects on post-traumatic growth in hemodialysis patients. Nurses should consider implementing interventions with an keynote on controlling complications, ameliorating interpersonal relationships, and increasing forgiveness to help hemodialysis patients improve their post-traumatic growth.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.