STRESSORS, COPING MECHANISMS AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE AMONG DIALYSIS PATIENTS IN AUSTRALIA

The aim of this study was to determine the significant stressors and c oping methods which are related to quality of life in dialysis patient s. A survey was conducted on patients in two dialysis centres in Sydne y. The response rate was 58% (n = 64). The results revealed that limit ation of physical activity was the most troublesome stressor followed by decrease in social life, uncertainty about the future, fatigue and muscle cramps. Although their ranking was not identical to that found in prior studies, these five stressors were considered to be compatibl e with the high stressors identified in previous studies. Problem-solv ing methods were considered to be more effective than affective measur es in dealing with stressors. Quality of life was perceived as below a verage in both haemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dial ysis (CAPD) patients. However, CAPD patients were experiencing a highe r quality of life than haemodialysis patients. The length of time on t he dialysis programme was not significantly related to coping behaviou r. The findings of this study can further facilitate nurse practitione rs in providing support, information, alternative solutions and in ass isting patients to better utilize problem-solving methods to enhance t heir quality of life on dialysis.