Stress identification and coping patterns in patients on hemodialysis

The types and severity of stressors and methods of coping with stress were assessed for 35 patients on hemodialysis. Coping was measured with a tested scale and stress was evaluated with a scale developed for the study. Test-retest reliability of the stressor scale was satisfactory (rs = .71). Results indicated that stressors experienced by the hemodialysis patient can be measured with an objective tool; psychosocial stressors have an impact equal to that of physiological stressors. Fluid restriction was ranked as the highest psychosocial stressor and the top physiological stressors were muscle cramps and fatigue. Patients on dialysis for one to three years indicated the greatest amount of stress. Patients used problem-oriented coping methods significantly more than affective-oriented methods (t [34] = 7.06), p greater than .001). Optimism and controlling the situation were the two most common coping methods, and putting the problem out of one's mind and blaming someone else were the least important coping tools.