The Role of Hope for the Future and Psychological Hardiness in Quality of Life Among Dialysis Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Dialysis is a chronic and agonizing disease, the prevalence rate of which is constantly increasing. In addition to physical damages caused by it, this disease leads to mental disorders and damages in patients. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the role of hope for the future and psychological hardiness in the quality of life among dialysis patients. Methods: This descriptive study is followed by a correlational-predictive design. The current study had a statistical population including all dialysis patients in Zabol. Among these patients, 66 people were selected as a sample using a convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were World Health organization quality of life assessment, Kobasa psychological hardiness questionnaire, and Snyder hope scale. Data were analyzed via SPSS 16 using a Pearson correlation coefficient and a stepwise regression analysis. Results: Correlation results indicated that there were significant and direct correlations among quality of life, hope for the future, and psychological hardiness (P < 0.05). Results of the stepwise regression analysis showed that psychological hardiness played a role in predicting these patients' quality of life. Among its three subscales, the subscales of challenge and control were able to explain 16% of variances in quality of life. Moreover, hope for the future had a role in predicting these patients' quality of life and among its two subscales, the subscale of agency alone was able to determine 8% of variances in quality of life. Conclusions: Given the results obtained from the present study, it can be concluded that to move towards a better future, dialysis patients' quality of life can be promoted by increasing these patients' suffering-tolerance threshold, hardiness, and hope.