Social support perceptions and hope levels of patients waiting for organ transplantation

Abstract

Background. The aim of this study was to determine the social support perceptions and hope levels of patients waiting for organ transplantation. Method. A sample of the descriptive study consisted of a total of 136 patients who attended to the dialysis unit of a university hospital in Istanbul between January and May 2017. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Herth Hope Scale. Results. The mean age of the participants was 49.0 +/- 1.15; 55.9% were male, 67.6% were married, and 41.2% were primary school graduates. A statistically significant difference was found between total perceived social support scores and age ratios. There was a statistically significant difference between participants' marital status and income level with total hope scores. There was a statistically significant difference between total hope scores and having chronic illness. There was a statistically significant difference between total perceived social support scores and having organ transplantation in the family or relatives. A statistically significant difference was found between total perceived social support and total hope scores with feelings perceived by family or relatives. A significant weak positive correlation between total perceived social support scores and total hope scores was found. Conclusion. According to this study, the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals waiting for transplantation affected their social support perceptions and hope levels. It seems that hope levels increased as family or relatives social support increased.