Investigation of Social Constraints, Psychosocial Adjustment and Optimism among Dialysis Patients

Abstract

Background: Social constraints are perceived as unsupportive behaviors, leading to inadequate psychosocial adjustment, while optimism can help people recover from distress and reduce any negative effects of chronic disease. The aim of this study was to investigate social constraints, psychosocial adjustment and optimism among patients on dialysis. Methods: In this study, 402 patients undergoing dialysis in Greece completed the following questionnaires: (i) the Social Constraints Scale (SCS) for the assessment of social constrains, (ii) the Psychosocial adjustment to illness scale (PAIS-SR) for the assessment of psychosocial adjustment, and (iii) the LOT-R scale for the assessment of optimism. A Mann–Whitney test was used for the comparison of continuous variables between two groups. Spearman correlation coefficients (rho) were used to explore the association of two continuous variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was used with the SCS scale. Results: Greater difficulty in psychosocial adjustment in the domestic, vocational, extended family and social environments, sexual relationships, and health care as well as greater psychological distress were significantly associated with a greater occurrence of social constraints (p < 0.001). Additionally, greater optimism was significantly associated with fewer social constraints and lower difficulty in adjusting to their disease (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Greater difficulty in all dimensions of psychosocial adjustment is associated with more social constraints, while optimism is associated with fewer social constraints and better disease adjustment.