Social support, psychological distress and depression in hemodialysis patients

The End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and the need for hemodialysis treatment, forces patients to make numerous changes in their daily lives in order to cope with this chronic illness. Such changes often trigger the onset of notable psychological distress and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, these negative feelings may undermine the effectiveness of medical treatment, consequently worsening the patients' health and quality of life. However, in patients affected by chronic disease the presence of social support seems to be associated with less psychological distress. Thus, the aim of this study - in a sample group of ESDR patients - was to explore if a high (vs. low) social support system is associated to a better (vs. a worse) state of psychological well-being. The results seemingly confirm our hypothesis. ESRD patients who benefit from social support resources display less psychological distress and depressive symptoms. These findings highlight - once more - the importance of a psychological evaluation in patients affected by chronic illnesses, such as ESDR. Specifically, identifying the presence (or absence) of the patients' social support resources. This would be essential when setting up a program of psychotherapeutic sessions, in order to manage the remission of psychological distress.