Promoting Resilience in ESRD: Evaluation of a Group Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Patients on Hemodialysis.

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy of a six-week group cognitive-behavioral intervention for mediating depression, perceived social support, and quality of life of patients on hemodialysis in west Central Florida. Length of time on dialysis varied from 30 days to over two years. A quasi-experimental multivariate design tested several hypotheses. It was predicted that patients in the experimental group would benefit from the social work intervention as evidenced by improved mood, increased social support, and better life quality than the patients in the control group. The sessions were called “Feeling Better Again: A Life Management Series for People With Chronic Kidney Disease.” Patients completing fewer than six sessions were predicted to benefit less than patients completing all six sessions. Length of time on dialysis was also predicted to make a difference in patient responses at pre- and post-test. In this multimethod approach, qualitative data from patient surveys support the quantitative findings, giving the study methodological robustness. The authors propose linking biopsychosocial research with ESRD patients to the resilience construct in order to extend the knowledge base on biological contributors to resilience in adults with chronic kidney disease