Investigation of perceived stress and psychological well-being in liver recipients having immunosuppressive therapy

Background and aims

In this study, the relationship between perceived stress and psychological well-being was analyzed in liver transplant recipients having immunosuppressive therapy.

Methods

This study was performed as descriptive research with 134 patients who had liver transplantation at the organ transplantation institute of a training and research hospital (n = 134). The Perceived Stress Scale and the Psychological Well-Being Scale were used for the data collection. The research data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science 25.0.

Results

Of all participant liver transplant recipients, 22.4% were aged 18–27 years and 48–57 years and 80.6% were males. Besides, the participant liver transplant recipients used immunosuppressive drugs such as prednisolone (92.53%), tacrolimus (61.9%), and mycophenolate mofetil (52.98%). It was found that there was a statistically significant relationship between psychological well-being and perceived stress.

Conclusion

In this study, it was discerned that perceived stress affected psychological well-being negatively. It is of importance to realize the stress experienced by liver transplant recipients and enhance their psychological well-being. In the process following transplant surgery, the liver transplant recipients should be carefully followed and efforts to improve patient outcomes should be made.