Coping strategies in renal transplants recipients: A qualitative study

Introduction: Renal transplantation is considered as the first and the most effective approach of alternative treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although receiving transplant can improve the quality of life, it may also cause new challenges and anxieties in recipients. To be adopted with new challenges, patients have to follow coping strategies. This study aimed to deeply understand the coping strategies used by those undergone renal transplantation to adopt with challenges emerged from that. Method: ۱۱ in-depth semi-structured interviews were done to follow the aim of the study. The age of participants ranged between ۱۸ and ۵۷ years with mean average of ۳۷ years. A purposive sampling was used to emerge statured data, codes and themes. Using content analysis inspired by Graneheim and Lundman, all interviews analyzed. Results: The analysis revealed ten subthemes that finally categories into four themes including: focus on spirituality, developing self-management and empowerment, improvement of self-reflective practice, and reality acceptance. Conclusion: Although it is not possible to say that each coping strategy is used in a specific time schedule, but it seems that in each step, patients are more likely to use a specific coping strategy. Therefore, if nurses and family members are aware of this process, they would be better perceiving the reasons behind renal transplant recipient behaviors. We suggest providing relevant education program for them. This consequently enables family members and care team to have an active role in supporting tranplant recipients.

Keywords:

coping strategies , renal transplantation , renal transplantation recipient , content analysis