Control Effect of Illness Perception on Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Hemodialysis: Using Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of illness perception on depression and quality of life in patients with hemodialysis. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using structural equation modeling. Depression, quality of life and cognitive and emotional illness perceptions were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression-10 (CESD-10), Short Form-36 version 2 (SF- 36v2), and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) in 272 hemodialysis patients. Results: Prevalence of depression was 76.1%, and higher in female patients on hemodialysis. Cognitive illness perception had effect on depression and quality of life, while emo- tional illness perception had effect only on depression. Quality of life was explained 69.6% through depression (β = -.74, t = -8.17) and cognitive illness perceptions (β = .21, t = 3.06), while depression was explained 40.5% through cognitive (β = -.34, t = -5.99) and emo- tional (β = .59, t = 9.37) illness perceptions. Conclusion: In the inevitable choice of dialysis, illness perception could decrease depres- sion and improve quality of life in hemodialysis patients.