Effect of disease perception on the hopelessness level of haemodialysis patients

Purpose: The present research is made descriptively in order to determine the effect of disease perception on the hopelessness level of haemodialysis patients. Material and Method: The research was made between July 2014 and December 2016 with the participation of 281 patients, who were receiving treatment in İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Centre, Malatya State Hospital, Beydağı State Hospital, Malatya Park Hospital and Private FMC Malatya Dialysis Centre, which are all located in the city centre of Malatya. Data were obtained by using Patient Information Forms, Beck Hopelessness Scale and Disease Perception Scale. Numbers, average, ratio, Kruskal Wallis, t-test in independent groups, ANOVA and Correlation analyses were used in assessment of data. Findings: Hopelessness levels of haemodialysis patients were found high (13.70±6.82). It was determined that the patients were experiencing loss of strength most frequently. Point average of the sub-dimensions of disease perception was found as below; time (acute/chronic) 25±4.66, results 23.14±3.62, personal control 17.57±5.89, treatment control 14.59±4.28, understanding the disease 14.00±5.68, cyclic time 14.81±2.80, emotional representations 25.42±5.62, psychological factors 12.11±3.92,risk factors 14.00±3.69, immunity 6.54±2.23, accident or luck 5.23±1.25. Among the sub-dimensions of disease perception scale, a statistically significant positive correlation was detected between the sub-dimensions of disease symptoms, time (acute/chronic), results, emotional representations, psychological factors and immunity and average point of Beck Hopelessness Scale. Among the sub-dimensions of disease perception scale, a statistically significant negative correlation was detected between the sub-dimensions of personal control, treatment control and understanding the disease and average point of Beck Hopelessness Scale. Conclusion: In the research, it is detected that the hopelessness levels of the patients are high, and that there is a statistically significant correlation between disease perception and hopelessness level. In parallel with these results, it is advised for the nurses to consider the correlation between disease perception and hopelessness level, to provide trainings in relation with disease perception and to support psychologically haemodialysis patients, who experience hopelessness. Key Words: Haemodialysis, Disease Perception, Hopelessness