Does hope predict adjustment to end-stage renal failure and consequent dialysis?

• Published in: British journal of health psychology Vol. 13; no. 4; pp. 683 - 699
• Main Authors: Billington, Elizabeth, Simpson, Jane, Unwin, Jen, Bray, Dominic, Giles, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2008; British Psychological Society; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adjustment; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anxiety - diagnosis; Anxiety - psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic illnesses; Clinical research; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demography; Depression; Depression - diagnosis; Depression - psychology; Dialysis; England; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hemodialysis; Hemodialysis, Home - psychology; Hope; Humans; Illness and personality; Illness, stress and coping; Internal-External Control; Kidney diseases; Kidney failure; Kidney Failure, Chronic - psychology; Male; Medical sciences; Mental depression; Mental health; Middle Aged; Motivation; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Nephropathies. Renovascular diseases. Renal failure; Perceived control; Peritoneal Dialysis - psychology; Predictors; Psychology and medicine; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Questionnaires; Renal Dialysis - psychology; Renal failure; Sick Role; Social anxiety; Social Support; United Kingdom; Europe; England; Kidney disease; Mood disorder; Social environment; Human; Affect affectivity; Urinary system disease; Chronic renal failure; Hope hopelessness; Mental health; Depression; Quality of life; Symptomatology; Treatment; Psychological adjustment; Cross sectional study; Anxiety; Dialysis; Predictive factor; Public health
• ISSN: 1359-107X; 2044-8287
• DOI: 10.1348/135910707X248959

Objectives Hope is important in determining positive outcomes in a range of chronic illnesses. This study examined the role of hope in adjustment to end‐stage renal failure (ESRF) and consequent dialysis. Design A cross‐sectional design examined the ability of hope to predict adjustment to ESRF over and above other relevant variables. Methods Individuals receiving dialysis at 4 units in the North‐West UK were invited to take part in the study. 103 questionnaire packs were included in the analysis. Multiple regression equations determined whether hope was able to predict significant variance in adjustment over and above that accounted for by other factors (demographic and illness‐related factors, perceived control, and social support). Measures of anxiety, depression, and quality of life constituted a multidimensional measure of adjustment to ESRF. Results Each of the regression models was significant. Hope emerged as an independent significant predictor in five of the multiple regressions: anxiety; depression; effects and symptoms of kidney disease; and mental health quality of life. Age also emerged as an important predictor of outcome. Conclusions It appears that hope is a significant predictor of adjustment to ESRF. Clinical implications of this research are discussed, along with suggestions for future research.