Abstract
Objective:
To learn the coping strategies used by chronic kidney patients undergoing hemodialysis, facing the difficulties inherent to the disease.
Methods:
A descriptive, qualitative study, conducted with 30 people living with chronic kidney issues in a hemodialysis unit in northeastern Brazil. Data were collected from January to March of 2013 through a semi-structured interview tool and analyzed according to content analysis, thematic modality. It was used as a reference the theory of coping.
Results:
The categories that emerged from the interviews were: family support; attachment to religion/belief; denial and avoidance; and resilience.
Conclusion:
The way to handle the difficulties inherent to the disease was revealed by coping strategies that were based on emotion as on the issue. Thus, efforts have been made to administer or change the initial problems, as well as attempts to replace or regulate the emotional impact of the disease.
Keywords:
Nursing; Renal Dialysis; Adaptation psychological
