Evaluation of sense of humor, adaptation to treatment and personal well-being of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

AIM

This study was conducted to evaluate the sense of humor, treatment compliance, and personal well-being levels of patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research was conducted with 131 patients who received HD treatment in two different HD Units in the south of Turkey and agreed to participate in the research. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale (MSHS), End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire (ESRD-AQ), and Personal Well-Being Index-Adult (PWI-A).

RESULTS

The mean MSHS score of the individuals was 62.511 ± 12.241, the mean ESRD-AQ score was 896.64 ± 109.89, and the mean PWI-A score was 37.03 ± 9.64. When the relationships between the age of the patients, duration of HD, and MSHS, ESRD-AQ, and PWI-A are examined, there is a statistically significant negative relationship between age and MSHS and PWI-A. There is no statistically significant relationship between MSHS, ESRD-AQ, and PWI-A. The mean PWI-A scores of those who live separately from their spouses, have an income less than their expenses, have another chronic disease, and receive dialysis four times a week; the mean ESRD-AQ scores of those who receive dialysis four times a week and smoke; and the mean MSHS scores of those who are illiterate, have an income less than their expenses, receive dialysis four times a week, and do not smoke were found to be statistically significantly lower.

CONCLUSION

It is seen that patients receiving HD treatment have a moderate sense of humor, high treatment compliance, and low personal well-being. Sense of humor and personal well-being levels decreased with increasing age, while there was no significant relationship between sense of humor, compliance with treatment, and personal well-being levels. While high compliance with treatment suggests that they have insight, it is recommended that a sense of humor and personal well-being be supported, and counseling services be provided to patients.