Examining social support, psychological status and health-related quality of life in people receiving haemodialysis

Background: Being on haemodialysis can lead to many burdens on patients' lives. Social support for patients is crucial; however, whether social support affects health outcomes including both depression, anxiety and health-related quality of life is not well understood.

Objectives: To explore the relationship between social support, psychological status and health-related quality of life of people undergoing haemodialysis. Design: A cross-sectional study. Participants: Convenience sampling recruited 388 patients from one dialysis centre.

Measurements: Survey data collected included demographic and clinical data, the Medical Outcomes Social Support Survey, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and Short-Form Health Survey 36. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the direct and mediation effects of social support on health outcomes. Results: Participants' ages ranged from 19 to 84 years and most had undergone haemodialysis for more than 5 years (53.2%). Overall, there was a moderate level of social support, and although tangible support was high, emotional-oriented support functions were missing. Participants reported a high level of anxiety, moderate levels of depression, mild levels of stress and impaired physical and mental health. Greater social support independently and positively affected mental health, and also reduced the negative influences of depression on the mental health component but not the physical health component. Social support, depression, anxiety and participation in social groups explained 48% of the variance in mental health.

Conclusions: People undergoing haemodialysis require both tangible and emotional social support. When there is enough social support, there are positive effects on reducing depression and improving mental, but not physical health.