[Psychosocial adaptation in adolescents with chronic kidney disease]

Chronic disease represents a very critical experience for personal identity. This is far more true in adolescence when corporeal, emotional, relational and cognitive changes are taking place. The aim of the present study is to draw attention to the social and emotional balance and the psychosocial adaptation in a group of nephropathic adolescents and to formulate a suitable assistance program.

We studied two adolescent groups, one group of nephropathics and one group of healthy individuals, by administering the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) personality test.

We found significant differences between the mean score of the two groups in the clinical scale for depression, hypochondria and hysteria (p < 0.5); in addition, we observed a statistically significant difference in the emotional balance indicators.

Our experience suggests that nephropathic adolescents require global awareness of their psychological problems through the use of innovative assistance methods. A new strategy involving a more modern approach (i.e., educational camps) and specific psychosocial rehabilitation programs should be introduced to improve the quality of life.