Impact of chronic kidney disease on illness perceptions, coping, self-efficacy, psychological distress and quality of life

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) negatively impacts psychological well-being and quality of life (QoL). Underpinned by the Common Sense Model (CSM), this study evaluated the potential mediating role of self-efficacy, coping styles and psychological distress on the relationship between illness perceptions and QoL in patients living with CKD. Participants were 147 people with stage 3-5 kidney disease. Measures included eGFR, illness perceptions, coping styles, psychological distress, self-efficacy and QoL. Correlational analyses were performed, followed by regression modelling. Poorer QoL was associated with greater distress, engagement in maladaptive coping, poorer illness perceptions and lower self-efficacy. Regression analysis revealed that illness perceptions predicted QoL, with psychological distress acting as a mediator. The proportion of variance explained was 63.8%. These findings suggest that psychological interventions are likely to enhance QoL in CKD, if they target the mediating psychological processes associated with illness perceptions and psychological distress.

Automated summary

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a negative impact on psychological well-being and quality of life (QoL). This study examined the mediating role of self-efficacy, coping styles, and psychological distress on the relationship between illness perceptions and QoL in CKD patients. The findings suggest that psychological interventions targeting the mediating psychological processes associated with illness perceptions and psychological distress are likely to enhance QoL in CKD patients. The explained variance was 63.8%.