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© 2024 Ford et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background

Psychological distress can be exacerbated by micro (personal) and macro (societal) worries, especially during challenging times. Exploration of this relationship in people with chronic kidney disease is limited.

Objectives

(1) To identify the types and levels of worries concerning people with chronic kidney disease in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) to explore the association of worries with psychological distress including depression, stress, anxiety, and health anxiety.

Design and participants

A cross-sectional online survey collected data at two time points (Autumn 2020, n = 528; Spring 2021, n = 241). Participants included kidney transplant recipients and people with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease.

Measurements

The survey included questions about worry taken from the World Health Organisation COVID-19 Survey, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Short Health Anxiety Index. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression.

Results

Worries about loved ones’ health, the healthcare system becoming overloaded, losing a loved one, economic recession, and physical health were the highest rated concerns. Worrying about mental health was associated with higher depression, stress, anxiety, and health anxiety. Worrying about physical health was associated with anxiety and health anxiety. Worrying about losing a loved one was associated with health anxiety, and worrying about not being able to pay bills was associated with stress.

Conclusions

People with kidney disease reported micro and macro worries associated with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study highlights factors that should be considered to improve the mental health and well-being of people with kidney disease.

Details

Title
The association of micro and macro worries with psychological distress in people living with chronic kidney disease during the COVID-19 pandemic
Author
Ford, Ella C  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Sohansoha, Gurneet K; Patel, Naeema A; Billany, Roseanne E; Wilkinson, Thomas J; Lightfoot, Courtney J; Smith, Alice C  VIAFID ORCID Logo 
First page
e0309519
Section
Research Article
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Oct 2024
Publisher
Public Library of Science
e-ISSN
19326203
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3119603147
Copyright
© 2024 Ford et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.