[Prediction of depression by locus of control, learned resourcefulness and sociotropy-autonomy in hemodialysis patients].

OBJECTIVE

The aims of the present study were to investigate the effects of various personality variables, namely, the locus of control beliefs, learned resourcefulness and sociotropy-autonomy in the prediction of the level of depressiveness in hemodialysis patients. The dependent variable of the study was not the depression but the level of depressiveness measured by the Beck Depression Inventory.

METHOD

Seventy one permanent hemodialysis outpatients in a treatment center in Ankara participated in the study [43 females and 28 males with mean (+/-SD) ages of 44 (+/-9.68) and 52.6 (+/-7.8), respectively]. Beck Depression Inventory, Rotter's Internal External Locus of Control Scale, Rosenbaum's Learned Resourcefulness Scale, Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale and Demographic Information Form were given to the patients. F test and one way ANOVA were conducted to examine the effects of sex and age groups, respectively, and then Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis was conducted for prediction of depressiveness levels.

RESULTS

The oldest age group (defined as between 56-70 ages) and females had higher depressiveness scores. External locus of control and low level of learned resourcefulness, an indicator of ineffective coping skills were the predictive variables of depressiveness in hemodialysis patients when age, sex, and total length of time on dialysis were controlled. On the other hand, other personality variables, sociotropy and autonomy were not significant predictors.

CONCLUSION

Female patients and patients in the older age group were significantly more depressive, consistent with the literature, and the results were discussed in the light of the related literature.