First Advisor

Copeland, Darcy

Date Created

5-2020

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand stressors experienced and coping styles used by 30 hemodialysis patients in Vietnam and to examine the relationship among stressors, coping styles, and demographics (age, gender, and length of treatment). A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted. Data collection took place in a government hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. The hospital has 60 hemodialysis machines. The hemodialysis department serves 450 scheduled hemodialysis patients and 60 emergency cases per day. Stressors were divided into two groups: physical and psychosocial. Differences between physical and psychosocial stressors were obtained by dividing raw subscale scores by the number of items in the scale. The mean psychosocial stressor score was higher (1.23) than the mean physical stressor score (1.02). The most frequent stressors were limitation of fluid (1.7), decrease in social life (1.57), limitation of food (1.57), and sleep disturbances (1.57). The least reported stressors were reversal in family roles with the children (.27), fear of being alone (.73), reversal with spouse (.77), and frequent hospitalization (.77). The most common coping style used was emotive and the least common was evasive. The most common coping method used by hemodialysis patients was “Told yourself not to worry because everything would work out fine.” “Told yourself the problem was someone else’s fault” was the least common coping method used. End stage renal disease necessitating hemodialysis could have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. It is important for hemodialysis providers to understand the stressors these patients experience and the coping methods they use to manage these stressors. Providing sufficient education prior to initiating hemodialysis treatment is an important part of helping patients to manage their stress. The more patients understand about their disease and the impact hemodialysis treatment would have on their lives the more their stress could be managed. Education could specifically be targeted to help patients manage changes to diet, sleep, and their social lives.

Keywords

Stressors; coping styles; hemodialysis; chronic renal disease

Extent

97 pages

Local Identifiers

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Linh Final PDF Thesis

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author

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