title: Monitoring attentional style and medical regimen adherence in hemodialysis patients.
abstract: Previous research involving individuals facing chronic health problems suggests that an attentional style characterized by pronounced monitoring of threat-relevant information is associated with poorer behavioral and emotional adjustment. This study examined the hypothesis that a pronounced monitoring style would be associated with poorer medical regimen adherence in a sample of 51 chronic hemodialysis patients. Hierarchical regression analyses (controlling for demographic factors and trait anxiety) revealed that "high monitors" exhibited higher interdialysis weight gains and higher serum K values reflecting poorer adherence to fluid-intake and dietary restrictions. However, monitoring was not associated with a measure of medication adherence. Partial support was found for a model suggesting that a lack of perceived control is responsible for the relationship between higher monitoring and poorer adherence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA. alan-christensen@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lawton
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stallman
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Voigts
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D006435:Renal Dialysis