RELATION BETWEEN STRESSORS, COPING STRATEGIES AND SELF-EFFICACY AMONG PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Hemodialysis is the most common method used to treat advanced and permanent kidney failure. Identifying stressors, self-efficacy and coping strategies used by patients undergoing hemodialysis may help nurses and health care providers to gain a clearer understanding of the condition of these patients and thus, institute effective care planning. Aim: Assess relation between stressors, coping strategies and self-efficacy among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Subjects and method: Design: A descriptive correlational research design was used. Subjects: This study implemented among 100 hemodialysis patients. Setting: The study was carried out in hemodialysis unit at El-Salam Hospital in Port-Said city, Egypt. Tools: Three tools were utilized to collect data for this study including; Hemodialysis Stressor Scale, Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease6-itemScale and Coping Strategies Scale. Results: Most prominent increase in percent score among all stressors associated with chronic hemodialysis treatment was related to social life. Patients were adaptive with stressors by the use of affective-oriented coping strategies more than problem-oriented coping strategies, nearly two thirds of the studied patients had low level of self-efficacy. Conclusion &Recommendations: There were statistically significant negative correlations between total scores of coping strategies, self-efficacy and stressors among the studied patients. While, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between total scores of coping strategies and self-efficacy. So, Continuous educational programs should be held by health professionals for patients about proper coping methods, problem solving strategies and stress management techniques to alleviate stressors associated with chronic hemodialysis treatment and maintain compliance to treatment regimen. This will empower their self-efficacy.