CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 52, no. 3, 2026

The Interrelationship Between Psychosocial Adjustment and Spiritual Well-Being in Haemodialysis Patients and Their Family Caregivers

[Original Paper]

M. SKOULATOU(1), I. KALEMIKERAKIS(2), O. GOVINA(2), A. KAVGA-PALTOGLOU(2)


(1)General Hospital - Health Centre of Naxos, Greece;
(2)Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece


Abstract:

Background: Patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis and their family caregivers experience substantial psychosocial challenges. The objective of this study is to examine the associations between psychosocial adjustment and spiritual well-being in patients on maintenance haemodialysis and their family caregivers, and to identify factors independently associated with psychosocial adjustment. Methodology: A multicenter cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 130 patient-caregiver dyads in haemodialysis units in Greece. Data were collected through validated questionnaires assessing psychosocial adjustment, spiritual well-being, and sociodemographic characteristics. Correlational and univariate statistical analyses were performed. Variables associated with psychosocial adjustment in the univariate analyses were subsequently entered into multiple linear regression models to identify factors independently associated with psychosocial adjustment. Results: Patients demonstrated moderate difficulties in psychosocial adjustment, while caregivers showed moderate- to-good adjustment. Both groups reported moderate-to-high spiritual well-being. In correlational analyses, higher spiritual well-being was associated with better psychosocial adjustment, while psychosocial adjustment scores of the two groups were positively correlated. In multivariable analyses, spiritual well-being measures remained independently associated with several psychosocial adjustment domains. Younger age and employment were associated with better adjustment, whereas diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and more frequent caregiver accompaniment to haemodialysis were associated with greater adjustment difficulties. Conclusions: Spiritual well-being was associated with psychosocial adjustment in both patients and caregivers. Significant associations were also observed between patients’ and caregivers’ psychosocial adjustment. Several demographic, clinical, caregiving-related, and spiritual factors remained independently associated with patients’ psychosocial adjustment. These findings support the importance of psychosocial and spiritual dimensions within haemodialysis care.


Keywords: Family caregivers, haemodialysis, psychosocial adjustment, spiritual well-being.



Corresponding: Maria Skoulatou, General Hospital - Health Centre of Naxos, Greece, e-mail: marianurseky@yahoo.gr


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.52.03.12 - Download PDF
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