title: Changes of perceived control after kidney transplantation: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine if kidney transplantation is associated with increases of perceived control and how changes of perceived control affect the course of psychological distress until 1 year after transplantation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Low levels of perceived control are associated with reduced well-being among dialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective longitudinal cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perceived control (Mastery Scale) and psychological distress (GHQ-12) were prospectively assessed before (T0; n = 470) and three (T1; n = 197), six (T2; n = 210) and twelve (T3; n = 183) months after transplantation. Differences between T1 and T0 perceived control were used to stratify the sample into three groups (control gain, stable control and control loss). Socio-demographic and clinical variables, including complications, were examined as potential correlates and the course of psychological was distress compared across groups. Data were collected between July 2008 - July 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perceived control showed a small increase overall, with 35·1%, 50·0% and 14·9% reporting gain, stable level and loss respectively. Patients with secondary schooling were overrepresented in the control loss group. The course of psychological distress varied across perceived control change groups, with patients in the control gain group experiencing a significant reduction in psychological distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A considerable number of patients report increased levels of perceived control after transplantation that are associated with a subsequent decrease in psychological distress. Results emphasize the importance of perceived control and could inform interventions to facilitate well-being after kidney transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Psychology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Torben
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8605-408X
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.affiliation: Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Niesing
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jaap J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Homan van der Heide
authors.affiliation: Dialysis Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Westerhuis
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, Oxford Transplant Centre, Churchill Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: Rutger J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ploeg
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Psychology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Adelita V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Ranchor
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological
keywords: complications; kidney transplantation; nursing; patient-reported outcomes; perceived control; psychological distress