Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was performed to identify relationships among stress, hardiness, and the level of self-care in kidney transplant patients and use the results of this study as baseline data for developing self-care promotion programs.
METHOD
Subjects were 41 patients who undergone a kidney transplantation surgery at least one month before and were receiving regular follow-up care via OPD. Four researchers interviewed each subjects by filling out questionnaires.
RESULTS
The mean score of the level of stress was 2.32(SD=0.54) on a 4 point scale and the mean score of hardiness was 4.68(SD=0.62) on a 6 point scale. The mean score of self-care among the subjects was 3.83(SD=0.55). There was statistically a significant positive relationship between self-care and hardiness(r=0.42). Especially, relationships between self-care and commitment (r=.51) and control(r=.36) as the sub- dimensions of hardiness were significant. The item suggested as most stressful was economic burden and the item suggested as least stressful was sexual activity.
CONCLUSION
Although transplant patients have various stressors, the positive self-care activities of the patients could be increased if the commitment and control were enhanced by proper intervention programs.

• Keywords: Stress; Hardiness; Self-care; Kidney transplant