Psychological aspects of dialysis: a Semantic Differential study

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Abstract
SYNOPSIS: Twenty-one patients on The Royal Free Hospital dialysis programme and 21 control subjects were examined using the Semantic Differential. Results were analysed by the method of check-style analysis and by a comparison of concept profiles for the 2 groups using a multivariate analysis program.A highly significant difference (p < 0·001) was found between the check-styles of dialysis and control groups. The implications of this finding are discussed.Three concepts were selected for particular study: ‘my self’, ‘my ideal self’ and ‘people’. There were significant differences in profiles between the 2 groups on all 3 concepts.Subgroup analysis showed further differences for sex, age and length of time on dialysis.