Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Patients treated with hemodialysis often have difficulties in coping with the stresses of illness. Awareness of the various stressors and used coping methods provides significant help for the effective care of people with chronic illnesses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the stressors and coping methods in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: In this cross - sectional study using census method to examine the stressors and coping methods in 70 patients undergoing hemodialysis in Tabriz Imam Reza teaching hospital in 1388. Method of data collection was structured interview using questionnaire. Questionnaire was consisted of three parts demographic characteristics, Hemodialysis stressor scale, and Jalowiec Coping Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS.15 and utilizing of descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Results: The main stressors in these patients were psychosocial factors that emotional focused coping methods were most used in response to these agents. Overall mean of stress severity in patients was 41/88 ± 9/14 that identified as the "middle". The mean score of using adjustment methods was 70/94 ± 18/19, which has been interpreted in categories as "it can use Sometimes". The mean scores of effective coping methods was 49/57 ± 19/42, which was interpreted in categories as "that method was somewhat effective". There was a significant relationship between income and stressors and also a weak negative correlation between age and using of coping methods.

Conclusions: Considering the frequent exposure of patients with psychosocial stressors and inadequate utilization of coping techniques particularly the effective type of these methods in these patients, the education, counseling and support programs should be delivered in order to facilitate the adaptation process in hemodialyzed patients with these stressors.