Family Functioning, Marital Satisfaction and Social Support in Hemodialysis Patients and their Spouses

Abstract

A growing number of studies have demonstrated the importance of marital quality among patients undergoing medical procedures. The aim of the study was to expand the literature by examining the relationships between stress, social support and family and marriage life among hemodialysis patients. A total of 114 participants, including 38 patients and their spouses and 38 healthy controls, completed a survey package assessing social support, stress, family functioning and marital satisfaction and quality. We found that hemodialysis patients and spouses were less flexible in family adaptability compared with the healthy controls. Patients and spouses had more stress and instrumental social support compared with healthy people. Stress was negatively associated with marital satisfaction. Instrumental support was not associated with family or marital outcomes. The association between marital quality and support outside of family was positive in healthy individuals but was negative in patients and their spouses. Family adaptability was positively associated with support within family as perceived by patients and positively associated with emotional support as perceived by spouses. In conclusion, findings suggest that social support may promote adjustment depending on the source and type. Future research should pay more attention to the types and sources of social support in studying married couples.

Influence of Marital Status on the Quality of Life of Chinese Adult Patients with Epilepsy

“…Compared with unmarried adult patients with epilepsy, married adult patients demonstrate higher employment status and the longer course of disease. Since marriage helps foster a sense of meaning, promotes healthy behaviors, reduces risk factors, and enhances adherence to medical regimens,[16] married adult patients with epilepsy have better medication compliance that the nonmarried subgroup. Emotional support received from family members has been found to have positive effects on mental health, family cohesion, and marriage quality.…”

“…Emotional support received from family members has been found to have positive effects on mental health, family cohesion, and marriage quality. [16] This suggests that marriage is important for patients with epilepsy.…”

Compartmentalising time and space: a phenomenological interpretation of the temporal experience of commencing haemodialysis

“…People on haemodialysis and their spouses experience higher stress responses and demonstrate lower family adaption than healthy controls (Jiang et al . ). Carers can struggle to be included in treatment decisions and processes and may feel powerless and forgotten by the renal team (Aasen et al .…”

A Qualitative Study on Marital Challenges of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

“…The experience of conjugal life with suffering in the present study is compatible with the findings of a study in Pakistan, revealing near half of married patients report changes in the partner's behavior after diagnosis of hepatitis (27). A study on hemodialysis patients in China showed that patients and their partners had a great deal of stress and this stress negatively influenced their marital satisfaction (28).…”