[Predicting factors of adjustment to chronic hemodialysis: review of the literature and future prospects].

Little is yet known about predictive factors of adjustment to hemodialysis. This paper reports on a review of 45 articles published between 1966 and 1986, and focused on three issues: (1) the definition of the adjustment to chronic hemodialysis according to compliance, social and vocational rehabilitation and psychological adjustment; (2) the way adjustment is objectively and subjectively evaluated; (3) the predictive factors of a good adjustment to hemodialysis which are: an internal locus of control, defense mechanisms such as denial, repression and projection, and family factors as a good parental relationship and optimistic and positive interactions. Demographic factors (age, sex, education, IQ) are not found to be associated with adjustment. In conclusion, the author derives from the literature four specific landmarks for future research.