The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of personality, marital, and familial variables upon satisfaction with and adjustment to dialysis treatment in either the home or in-center setting. Subjects were 42 End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients who underwent dialysis treatment and 37 of their partners (this group was divided into approximately equal proportions of home dialysis and in-center dialysis couples). All patients completed a personality inventory designed for medical patients, and all participants completed questionnaires pertaining to locus of control and indicies of marital and family functioning, as well as satisfaction with treatment, sex role adjustment, and sickness behavior of the patient. The results of the present study suggeset that home dialysis patients and partners were more satisfied with their treatment than were their in-center counterparts. They exhibited a lower degree of psychological disturbance premorbidly, adjusted better to the dialysis regimen and were more satisfied with the relationship with their partner, as compared to the in-center sample. Home dialysis families were characterized by generally open expression of conflict and other affect, and by an interest in intellectual-cultural activities, whereas in-center dialysis families were characterized by more emotional restrictiveness, strict rules for control of appropriate behavior, and limited flexibility. In-center patients were significantly more likely than home patients to experience chronic tension, depression and hopelessness, and hypochrondriacal concerns. Among specific dialysis settings, home hemodialysis patients and partners appeared to adjust best on most measures, while in-center peritoneal dialysis patients generally exhibited the lowest satisfaction with treatment and worst psychological adjustment. The implications of these findings for selection and treatment of in-center and home dialysis patients, the role of the psychologist in a dialysis center, research, and economic trends were discussed.Dept. of Psychology. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses u26 Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1984 .W457. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-04, Section: B, page: 1299. Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1984.
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