The Relationship of Family Support and Quality of Life of Hemodialysis in a Selected Government Hospital in China

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major public health challenge in China. A national cross-sectional epidemiological survey reported that the prevalence of CKD among Chinese adults aged 18 years and above was 10.8%, affecting approximately 152 million. According to the Zhang (2025), the total number of clients receiving hemodialysis in mainland China exceeded 1.43 million by the end of 2025, with young adults aged 18 to 27 accounting for 7.4% of the total dialysis population people. The increasing number of young hemodialysis clients has become a growing concern because long-term dialysis treatment seriously affects physical health, psychological well-being, economic stability, and social functioning, all of which may reduce quality of life. For hemodialysis patients, family support served as an important protective factor. Chinese family structures commonly include spouses, parents, and children, and may also involve grandparents and other relatives who usually assume major caregiving responsibilities, including assistance with daily activities, emotional support, treatment monitoring, and financial assistance. Therefore, it helps the patient to reduce anxiety and depression, improve treatment adherence, and strengthen psychosocial resilience. Purpose:  The study aimed to determine the level of family support and quality of life among hemodialysis clients, identify differences according to demographic characteristics, and examine the relationship between family support and quality of life. Data serve as guide in the development of policies and the reinforcement of support for both dialysis patients and their families. It also provides evidence for culturally appropriate and family-centered nursing interventions for hemodialysis clients. Methodology: The study used a descriptive correlational research design to examine the relationship between family support and quality of life among hemodialysis clients. Through purposive sampling, 207 participants were recruited from the First People's Hospital of Yinchuan. Result: The result showed that Family support among respondents was generally at a moderate level. Supportive family interactions such as financial assistance and communication were commonly experienced, although conflictual interactions were also reported by many respondents. The overall quality of life of respondents was moderate. Among the four domains, social relationships and environmental health obtained relatively higher scores, while physical health and psychological health had the lowest scores. Lastly, there is no significant differences in family support were found when respondents were grouped according to age, gender, marital status, educational level, monthly household income, and duration of hemodialysis. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, hemodialysis clients family support alone was insufficient to significantly improve quality of life, suggesting that multiple factors—including physical, psychological, social, and environmental elements—play important roles in determining clients’ overall well-being. Consequently, holistic and family-centered nursing care remains essential for enhancing the overall health and quality of life of clients undergoing long-term hemodialysis.