장기간 혈액투석 중인 말기신부전환자들의 대응전략

Coping Strategy of Patients with End Stage Renal Disease on Long-term Hemodialysis

Psychological aspects including coping strategy were investigated in 72 patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on long-term hemodialysis. The findings were as follows. 1) M ost of their problems were econom ic burden and negative emotions such as hopelessness, anxiety and fear. 2) A considerable number of patients recognized that their illnesses would have caused negative emotions such as psychic shock, axiety and fear in their family members. 3) Among their vulnerabilities, hopelessness, frustration, and helplessness were most remarkable, whereas as coping strategy, intellectualism, redefinition, and compliance were most commonly used. 4) Their coping strategies were different depending on sex, education, marital status, presence or absence of occupation and religion. 5) Vulnerabilities such as emotional turmoil, depression, helplessness, and annoyance were negatively correlated with the resolution of their problems 6) As coping strategy, only confrontation correlated positively with the resolution of their problems, whereas isolation correlated negatively with it. 7) As the source of support for the patients，doctors were most common, followed by spouses and nurses in descending order. The above results suggest that continuous support of both treatment team and family members as well as understanding these psychosoial aspects could help the patients cope with their illness more effectively.