Subjective wellbeing, sense of humor and psychological health in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between satisfaction with life in general, sense of humor, and anxiety, depression and stress with subjective happiness in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional and correlational study was developed in two units of the Diaverum dialysis clinic and one hospital unit, with 183 chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis. An instrument was used to characterize the sociodemographic and clinical profile of the sample (age, gender, nationality, education, occupation, marital status, dialysis sessions length, presence of hypertension and diabetes): the subjective happiness scale; the satisfaction with life in general; depression, anxiety and stress scale 21; and multidimensional sense of humor scale. Inferential procedures included Spearman correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression adjusting to age, marital status, professional activity and diabetes. Results: Subjective Happiness was positively correlated with satisfaction with life in general, and the three dimensions of Sense of Humor. Nevertheless, subjective happiness was negatively correlated with stress / anxiety and depression. Satisfaction with life in general, humor production and social use of humor, and attitude towards humor had a positive relationship with subjective happiness. However, depression had a negative relationship with subjective happiness. Conclusions: Higher levels of subjective happiness were associated with higher levels of satisfaction with life in general, and sense of humor, however they were also associated with lower levels of depression in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Benefits of laughter-inducing and humor nursing interventions in people undergoing hemodialysis

“…It was concluded that only depression levels decreased significantly, stress and anxiety levels also partially decreased, but without statistical significance (Sousa et al 2019b). Another similar study found that there was a reduction in the level of depression (Sousa et al 2019d).…”

“…From a study conducted in two Clinic dialysis units and one hospital unit, with 183 people with CKD undergoing hemodialysis, which investigated the sociodemographic and clinical profile of the sample, it was concluded that there was a relationship between subjective happiness, overall life satisfaction and sense of humor (Sousa et al 2019d).…”

“…While in one person it can have a positive effect and make it laugh, in another, the same intervention can cause discomfort and suffering. Therefore, nurses should be aware to the person and the circumstance and tailor the activities of laughter-inducing interventions to each person and situation (Sousa et al, 2018e;Sousa et al 2019d).…”

“…Haemodialysis negatively affects overall health, QOL and well-being, having an influence on physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual performance. It also affects the sense of humor (Sousa et al, 2019d).…”

Humor as focus of nursing diagnosis: A scoping review protocol.

“…There is evidence that humor positively influences a person's health, through the release of hormones and immune cells that provide a better quality of life 4 . The presence of humor in people with chronic illness leads to high levels of subjective happiness and, concomitantly, to high levels of satisfaction with life in general 7 . The data from the various studies mentioned above point to the importance of a systematic intervention in the field of humor in all types of populations, whether in health or illness.…”