“Losing Faith in My Body”: Body Image in Individuals Diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease as Reflected in Drawings and Narratives

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the dependency on dialysis is an abrupt life-changing event that harms a patient’s life (e.g., social relationships, work, and well-being). This study aimed to examine how individuals who undergo chronic dialysis due to failure end-stage renal disease perceive their bodies, as reflected in drawings and narratives. Following ethical approval and signing a consent form to participate in the study, 29 adults between the ages of 20 and 85 who have undergone dialysis filled out an anonymous questionnaire that consisted of the following measures: The Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression (CES-D), The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), and The MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). After completion, they were asked to draw their self-figure before and after being diagnosed and narrate it. The data were quantitatively and narratively analyzed. The results revealed high levels of depression and concerns regarding body fitness and weight. Few significant differences were noted between self-figured drawings before and after the diagnosis, such as the body line and gender markers. Additionally, Fitness Evaluation and Overweight Preoccupation were significant among the participants.