Attachment style predict compliance, quality of life and renal function in adult patients after kidney transplant: preliminary results

Abstract

Aim: Aim of this study was to evaluate the association between attachment style, compliance, quality of life and renal function in adult patients after kidney transplantation. Methods: A total of 43 adult patients who received a kidney transplant more than 3 months before were enrolled and were asked to complete two Self-Report questionnaires: Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ-40) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Also compliance was measured using appropriate questions. Results: Linear regression analysis showed associations between the confidence in relationships Patients who exhibited avoidant attachment had a significantly better perception of their own general health than patients with anxious [F(2,37) ¼ 6.8; p50.05] or secure attachment; however, they had a worse perception regarding role limitations due to emotional problems, compared to patients with anxious attachment [F(2,37) ¼ 6.4; p50.05]. Discussion: The results of this study suggest that the evaluation of the attachment style in adult kidney transplant patients can contribute to plan a goal-directed psychological support program for these patients, in order to increase their compliance. The association between aspects of anxious attachment style and creatinine level needs more investigations.

Effect of donor age and parent-to-child transplant on living-related donor kidney transplantation: a single center's experience of 236 cases

“…In addition, there are a number of articles in literature that focus on the psychological aspects affecting graft survival and compliance that could also apply to living kidney donation. 20,21 We also noticed that trend but did not analyze it in our manuscript. Therefore, our findings require further validation by longer prospective studies involving a larger sample size across multiple clinical centers involving more donor-recipient pairings including father-to-child and mother-to-child parings, as well as preand postoperative psychological aspects of recipients.…”

Emotional self-efficacy and alexithymia may affect compliance, renal function and quality of life in kidney transplant recipients: Results from a preliminary cross-sectional study

“…It has also been outlined that coping strategies may be associated with negative compliance among patients who have difficulty in processing emotion [11]. In a previous analysis on the same patients sample population, also some quantitative dimensions of attachment style has been indicated as a predictors of compliance perception and creatinine levels after transplantation [13]. Thus, the role played by emotional pattern in influencing compliance to medical treatment should be taken into consideration during preoperative evaluation [5].…”

Psychosocial Variables Associated with Immunosuppressive Medication Non-Adherence after Renal Transplantation

“…Hence, attachment style could contribute to explain the crucial role of social support in adherence. Calia et al ( 59 ) found that attachment style and adherence were interrelated in kidney recipients. In a more psychodynamic approach, attachment theory aspects, resistance (to treatment), adaptive and maladaptive defense mechanisms in disease coping, and (counter)transference could be therapeutically approached ( 60 ).…”