Perceived social support as a moderator of QoL and self-efficacy among Greek CKD patients

Abstract

Background: A chronic illness severely affects a patient's functional ability and quality of life causing at the same time escalading health care costs. Despite an increased amount of research there are no studies demonstrating evidence documenting psychosocial factors of perceived social support and self efficacy affecting quality of life in CKD patients under dialysis, also documenting differences between treatment duration in Greece. Aim: The primary objective of this study was to test whether significant differences exist between two groups of dialysis patients regarding treatment duration and perceived social support level. A secondary objective of the study was to test for associations and examine the moderator factor of MSPSS upon the variables. Method: The current study used a between groups design, in a sample of 101 dialysis patients. The SEMCD, MSPSS, and the WHOQOL-BREF scales were used to measure patients’ self efficacy for managing chronic illness, perceived social support and quality of life respectively. Results: Significant differences were found to exist in dialysis patients upon the psychosocial factors between the two groups of high and low perceived social support. In addition significant associations were found between quality of life, self efficacy for managing chronic illness and perceived social support. A final equation supports the moderator factor of perceived social support upon the QoL-SES interaction, duration of therapy also moderates the interaction.