Status of life-areas: congruence/noncongruence in ESRD patient and spouse perceptions

Perceptions of ESRD patients' satisfaction with, and abilities in, 13 life-areas were assessed in 50 patients and their spouses by means of a series of linear rating scales. Patient and spouse views were congruent on 10 dimensions. Noncongruence existed only on perception of the patient's satisfaction with his/her medical situation, perception of the patient's ability to care for self, and perception of the patient's satisfaction with feelings about self. This noncongruence was especially pronounced in certain patient subgroups, and explanations related to the nature of ESRD and its treatment are suggested. We recommend that future studies examine not only perceptions of patients' satisfaction but also perceptions of the spouse's own satisfaction with various life-areas.