The Effect of Illness Perception on Hopelessness Level of Patients Receiving Hemodialysis

Objective: The study was conducted as a descriptive study to determine the effect of illness perception on the level of hopelessness in patients receiving hemodialysis. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 281 patients who agreed to participate in the study in Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Centre, Malatya State Hospital, Beydagi State Hospital, Malatya Park Hospital and Private FMC Malatya Dialysis Centre, in all state and private dialysis centers in Malatya between July 2014 and January 2017. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Illness Perception Questionnaire. Number, mean, percent, Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis, independent groups t-test, and correlation analysis were used to evaluate the data. Results: The hopelessness levels of patients receiving hemodialysis were found to be high. Illness perception and almost all sub-dimensions were found to affect hopelessness. Conclusions: It is suggested that nurses should take into account the relationship between illness perception and hopelessness level; trainings for disease perception should be given; and psychosocial support should be provided for patients receiving hemodialysis who are hopeless.