Understanding Coping Strategies and Quality of Life in Young Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

This study investigates the coping strategies and quality of life (QoL) of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients below the age of 30 through narrative analysis. Using a sequential explanatory design, the research initially administered the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) questionnaire to CKD patients recruited through snowball sampling. After analysing the quality-of-life scores, only 5 participants were found to have a high or good quality of life. Subsequently, interviews were conducted exclusively with these 5 CKD patients to explore their coping strategies. Narrative analysis of the interviews revealed several coping strategies employed by the participants, including active coping, emotional support, positive reframing, planning, humor, acceptance of health condition, spirituality, distraction, avoidance/denial, substance use, and disengagement. Despite facing challenges associated with CKD, five participants demonstrated high QoL, attributing their well-being to effective coping strategies such as emotional support, positive reframing of thoughts, acceptance of their health condition, and spirituality. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing and supporting effective coping strategies among young CKD patients to enhance their overall well-being and QoL. This study provides valuable insights for healthcare providers and policymakers in developing interventions to improve the lives of CKD patients.