Psychological effects of in-centre haemodialysis on the dialysand's adolescent children

A perusal of the literature on the psychological aspects of haemodialysis reveals that the patient, his spouse and his children are affected. Most studies have dealt with patients on home dialysis. This study was designed to ascertain in psychological terms the effect that the in-centre 'dialysing parent' has on his adolescent children. The results indicate that the children of parents on hospital-based haemodialysis appeared to react to the parents' altered state of health. They were more self-sufficient and less well-adjusted as regarded home and social relations than were controls. The results are discussed in terms of the psychological management of the patient and his family.