Published online Mar 19, 2024. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i3.409
Peer-review started: November 30, 2023
First decision: December 18, 2023
Revised: December 30, 2023
Accepted: January 23, 2024
Article in press: January 18, 2024
Published online: March 19, 2024
Patients undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis (MHD) frequently experience dysphoria and despondency during extended dialysis treatment. These psychological difficulties can lead to alterations in daily routines, a decline in physical capabilities, a loss of social roles and status, and a profound influence on physical and mental well-being, along with overall quality of life (QOL). Consequently, enhancing their QOL is of the utmost importance.
Dysphoria and despondency can significantly diminish the QOL of patients undergoing MHD, whereas strong social support can enhance it. This study investigated the role of social support as a mediator between dysphoria, despondency, and QOL in patients undergoing MHD. This study aimed to establish a theoretical foundation for psychological interventions among patients undergoing MHD, enabling the implementation of effective strategies to boost social support levels and enhance their overall QOL.
The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of social support on dysphoria, despondency, and QOL in patients undergoing MHD. Additionally, it aimed to assess the mediating role of social support by constructing a mediating effect model that incorporated social support, dysphoria, despondency, and QOL. The ultimate goal was to enhance the level of social support for patients undergoing MHD, thereby mitigating the effects of dysphoria and despondency and ultimately improving their overall QOL.
This cross-sectional study included 289 patients from our hospital. The Social support rating scale, Self-rating anxiety scale, Self-rating depression scale, and Life quality scale were used to collect data. Correlation analysis was used to examine the associations between social support, dysphoria, despondency, and the QOL in patients undergoing MHD. Furthermore, the bootstrap method was employed to assess the mediating effect of social support on the relationships among dysphoria, despondency, and QOL in these patients.
The study revealed several key findings: (1) Social support was positively correlated with QOL and negatively correlated with dysphoria and despondency; (2) Dysphoria and despondency had a negative impact on the QOL of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis; (3) The negative impact of dysphoria and despondency on QOL decreased in the presence of social support; and (4) Social support played a significant mediating role in the relationship between dysphoria, despondency, and QOL. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals and offer a basis for the targeted treatment and improved care of patients undergoing MHD.
This study demonstrated that social support plays a mediating role in the relationship between dysphoria, despondency, and QOL in patients undergoing MHD. This study addressed the gap in the understanding of how social support influences the interplay between dysphoria, despondency, and QOL in patients undergoing MHD, providing a valuable theoretical foundation for future studies in this area.
Future research in this area should consider expanding the sample size and incorporating multi-regional samples to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships among social support, dysphoria, despondency, and QOL in patients undergoing MHD. Additionally, longitudinal studies could provide valuable insights into the evolution of these factors over time in patients undergoing MHD.