Qualitative study reveals severe marital strain and social isolation in hemodialysis patients on the organ waiting list, highlighting the need for family-centered supportive care.
Key Points
To investigate the lived marital experiences, relational dynamics, and social role negotiations of hemodialysis-dependent individuals awaiting kidney transplantation.
Conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and participant observation between August 16 and November 11, 2022.
Recruited N=23 marriage-experienced, hemodialysis-dependent patients (13 women, 10 men) on the national organ waiting list.
Analyzed qualitative interview and observational data using thematic analysis to identify recurring relational themes.
Identified five core relational themes: caregiving stress ("When Care Becomes a Test"), social isolation, marital sacrifices, external family interference ("Uninvited voices"), and emotional ambivalence ("Resentful but Thankful").
Demonstrated that long-term hemodialysis and chronic disease burdens cause substantial strain on marital relationships, diminishing emotional and sexual intimacy.