Exploring Stress, Coping, and Resilience in Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Dialysis Patients

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Exploring Stress, Coping, and Resilience in Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Dialysis Patients

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Co-author 1

Victoria Doan cmn346@mail.usask.ca University of Saskatchewan Biomedical Eng. Saskatoon Canada *

Co-author 2

Agum Mapiour agum.mapiour@usask.ca University of Saskatchewan Biomedical Eng. Saskatoon Canada -

Co-author 3

Ahmed Shoker ahmed.shoker@usask.ca University of Saskatchewan Nephrology Saskatoon Canada -

Co-author 4

Amira Abdelrasoul amira.abdelrasoul@usask.ca University of Saskatchewan Cemical and Biomedical Eng. Saskatoon Canada -

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Introduction

Indigenous Canadians have a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) than the general population and often face disparities in health outcomes and access to healthcare. While physical health disparities are well-documented, less is known about psychological symptom burden among Indigenous dialysis patients. This study explored whether differences in psychological experiences exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous dialysis patients.

Methods

Participants were recruited from the Dialysis Unit at St. Paul Hospital and and the Community Renal Health Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Ten Indigenous and nine non-Indigenous patients completed a psychological questionnaire assessing mental and emotional symptoms related to dialysis. Patients rated 20 statements on a 6-point Likert scale from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” Ethical approval and written informed consent were obtained, and care was taken to respect participants’ cultural context.

Results

Both groups reported stressors, including difficulty adjusting to lifestyle changes and managing side effects, alongside protective factors such as social support and engagement in hobbies. Indigenous patients in this sample reported higher rates of worry about their health worsening, loss of independence, feeling of being a burden to their family, rumination over past decisions, and financial concerns compared to non-Indigenous patients. Despite these challenges, Indigenous patients also demonstrated resilience, with strong social connections and continued participation in valued activities.

Conclusion

Dialysis patients, regardless of background, experience psychological challenges that warrant attention and support. Indigenous patients in this sample showed an increased symptom burden, highlighting the importance of culturally sensitive mental health support and targeted interventions that address systemic barriers to care. Recognizing both challenges and strengths can help improve quality of life and outcomes for Indigenous dialysis patients.

Kewords