Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of physical, psychological, and social factors on the health status of patients undergoing hemodialysis using longitudinal data. Methods: Two surveys were conducted within a period of two-y...
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of physical, psychological, and social factors on the health status of patients undergoing hemodialysis using longitudinal data. Methods: Two surveys were conducted within a period of two-year. A total of 75 patients participated in both surveys. Eight variables including symptoms, treatment belief, hope, meaning-focused coping, family support, friend/peer support, healthcare provider support, and health status were measured. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, Pearson`s correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regressions. Results: The mean age of the participants was 47.31 and the average duration of dialysis was 8.27 years. There was no difference in scores on perceived health status between the two year-interval surveys. The two-year follow-up on perceived health status was correlated with baseline perceived health status, friend/peer support, meaning-focused coping, hope, and symptoms. As the result of the regression analysis, friends/peer support (β=.31, p=.013) and baseline perceived health status (β=.30, p=.020) were found to be significant predictors of subsequent health status which explained 39.0% of the variance. Conclusion: This study suggests the importance of psychosocial resources for positive health outcomes in patients with a chronic illness. Nursing interventions aimed to provide renal peer support need to be developed and tested.