All Good Without Anything Good. Beyond Survival: Understanding the Psychosocial Experiences of Individuals With Chronic Kidney Disease and Their Caregivers in Sri Lanka.

AIM: This study aims to explore the experiences of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing haemodialysis and their caregivers, focusing on the disease's impact and the treatment process. BACKGROUND: In Sri Lanka, CKD is a growing health concern, particularly affecting farming communities and contributing to the strain on the biomedical healthcare system. Despite increasing awareness of CKD's physical implications, its psychosocial impact remains underexplored. This study seeks to fill this gap, aiming to inform culturally sensitive interventions and improve the healthcare system's responsiveness to the unique needs of Sinhala Buddhist individuals with CKD and their caregivers. DESIGN: An exploratory qualitative study. METHOD: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 individuals undergoing haemodialysis and 5 caregivers at a dialysis unit. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using conventional qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: The analysis revealed three interrelated main themes: (1) impact on standard of living (quality of life), (2) coping strategies and (3) medical experience, with a notable influence of traditional beliefs and practices. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the need for a holistic approach to CKD management that integrates physical, emotional, psychological and social aspects, considering the significant role of traditional influences. Further research is essential to develop effective interventions that can enhance the quality of life for CKD. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The lived experiences of Sinhala Buddhist individuals with CKD and their caregivers served as a cornerstone, providing profound insights into the impact of the condition on their lives. Throughout the study, these participants played an instrumental role in refining the research's cultural sensitivity and relevance. Their engagement extended beyond the data collection phase to encompass feedback sessions, where they actively shared their perspectives. This ongoing collaboration ensured the study's depth and applicability to real-world experiences. By actively involving those directly affected by CKD, this collaborative approach safeguards that the study remains rooted in their voices and addresses their unique needs. REPORTING METHOD: This study adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines (the COREQ checklist). TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is not a clinical trial, and thus, registration is not applicable.

Psychosocial well-being among individuals with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis treatment and their caregivers: a protocol of a mixed method study in Sri Lanka and Poland.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can be identified as one of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which affect millions of people worldwide, including in Sri Lanka and Poland. The prevalence of CKD has been rising over the last three decades due to the identification of CKD with unknown etiology and the increment of NCDs such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus among the Sri Lankan population. Poland can be identified as a European country that has 4 million patients with CKD, which is the second most common chronic disease in the country. CKD is associated with the physical, economic, psychological, and social burden on patients and their caregivers. The current study is aimed to investigate the psychosocial well-being of CKD patients and their caregivers in Sri Lanka and Poland. The current study is a mixed-method study aimed to investigate the psychosocial well-being of individuals with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis and their caregivers in Sri Lanka and Poland. Participants in the quantitative part of the project will be individuals with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis from Sri Lanka (n = 63) and Poland (n = 63) who are currently undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Sort Form, Beck Depression Scale, Test of Self-Conscious Affect, The Courtauld Emotional Control Scale, Acceptance of Illness Scale, and a demographic and medical information sheet will be used in both Sri Lankan and Polish samples. Apart from that, the qualitative phase of the study will involve semi-structured interviews with individuals diagnosed with CKD, selected randomly from the initial part of the research, and their close relatives. Notably, the participant count will remain undetermined, as this approach addresses the inherent challenges of exploratory research.

Anxiety and coping during COVID-19. Investigation of anxiety management types in a German and Polish sample.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to assess the differences in anxiety management types between German and Polish samples. The research was conducted in the context of health-related variables and anxiety management types during the period of March to April 2020. The research project was approved by the Ethical Committee at the Institute of Psychology at the University of Gdansk, Poland. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: German Sample: Consisted of 323 subjects with an average age of 46 years. 73% were females, and 26% were males. Polish Sample: Included 100 subjects with an average age of 42 years. 73% were females, and 27% were males. The study collected data on various health-related variables and anxiety management types using specific measurement procedures. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the frequency distribution of anxiety management types between the Polish and German samples (p < .001). In the Polish sample, 60% showed negative anxiety management types (Sensitizer, Repressor, Highly anxious), compared to the German sample with 52%. 40% of the Polish and 48% of the German sample showed positive expressions. There were stronger significant differences in both samples regarding health-related variables, with the Polish sample being at a disadvantage. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides a comprehensive insight into the anxiety management types between German and Polish samples, revealing distinct differences in their responses. The Polish sample exhibited a higher prevalence of negative anxiety management types compared to the German sample. These disparities can be attributed to a myriad of factors, including historical traumas, transgenerational experiences, and the influence of dominant religions in each country. The findings underscore the importance of considering cultural, historical, and religious contexts when assessing and addressing mental health and coping mechanisms across different populations. Further research with larger samples and diverse groups could offer a more nuanced understanding of these patterns and their underlying causes.