Examination of the Relationship Between the Perceived Social Support, Loneliness, and Hope Levels of Caregivers of Patients Receiving Hemodialysis Treatment: A Cross- Sectional Study

• Published in: International journal of caring sciences 2024-09, Vol.17 (3), p.1699-1709
• Main Authors: Akpinar, Reva Balci, Dikmen, Rukiye Demir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Caregivers; Chronic illnesses; Data collection; Hemodialysis; Hospitals; Intervention; Loneliness; Patients; Social support; Standard of care
• ISSN: 1791-5201; 1792-037X

>Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the perceived social support, loneliness, and hope levels of caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive research. Caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. The research was conducted with caregivers of patients receiving HD treatment in a state hospital between October and December 2022. Fifty-seven caregivers took part in the cross-sectional trial. The Descriptive Characteristics Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and Continuous Hope Scale were used to collect data regarding caregivers. Results:The total MSPSS score of caregivers was 41.77±18.26, the total DJGLS score was 31.36±6.08, and the total CHS score was 35.84±12.24. A significant difference was found between the perceived social support family subscale and the caregiver's age (p=.028) and education level (p=.001). There was a significant difference between education level, perceived income level, and loneliness (p=.031). A significant difference was revealed between the caregiver's age and social loneliness subscale (p=.031). There was a significant difference between gender and the social loneliness subscale (p=.045). Perceived social support had a moderate negative correlation with loneliness and a weak positive correlation with hope. The regression analysis results elucidated that 34% of perceived social support was explained by loneliness and 11% by hope in caregivers. Conclusions: It was found that some characteristics of caregivers were significant with perceived social support, loneliness, and hope level. The perceived social support can be said to negatively affect loneliness and positively affect the hope level. According to this process, screenings for caregivers can be performed.