title: Perceived family support as a moderator psychological well-being in end-stage renal disease.
abstract: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with an increased incidence of psychological distress. The present research examined the salutary effects of a supportive family environment on the psychological well-being of ESRD patients receiving renal transplants. Patients (N = 57) completed a measure of perceived family support and an assessment of the physical impact of their illness. Psychological well-being was assessed utilizing two measures of depression and two measures of anxiety. One group of patients was classified as experiencing high illness-related physical dysfunction. In this group, patients perceiving a less supportive family environment displayed significantly higher levels of psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety than patients with a more supportive family environment. A second group of patients was classified as experiencing low illness-related physical dysfunction. In this group, the perceived level of family support was not significantly related to their relatively lower reported levels of depression and anxiety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Slaughter
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Holman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis