by Yip Mei Po. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-150). / Abstract and questionnaire also in Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.iii-iv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review / End stage renal failure and dialysis therapy --- p.3 / Stress / The concept of stress --- p.4 / Lazarus' stress and coping model --- p.5 / Different approaches to stress --- p.6 / Stressors in hemodialysis patients: a convergence of chronic strains and daily hassles --- p.8 / The outcome of stressors in hemodialysis patients --- p.10 / Coping / Definition: Coping as a process --- p.12 / Problem focused and emotional focused coping --- p.12 / Functions of coping: its effectiveness --- p.14 / The use of coping methods in hemodialysis patients --- p.17 / Factors affecting coping response to illness in hemodialysis patients --- p.19 / Social Support / Approaches to social support: definitions and measurements --- p.22 / The effect of social support on adjustment to illness --- p.25 / "Social support as a coping resource in hemodialysis patients," --- p.27 / Quality of life / Quality of life as an adjustment outcome to illness --- p.28 / "The quality of life concept: dimensions, components and measurement" --- p.29 / Limitations of studies of quality of life in hemodialysis patients --- p.33 / Approaches to quality of life in hemodialysis patients --- p.34 / "The relation between stress, coping, social support and quality of life" --- p.36 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Method / Research design --- p.38 / Research hypothesis --- p.40 / Operational definitions --- p.41 / Population --- p.42 / Sample --- p.43 / Ethical issue --- p.47 / Data collection --- p.50 / Instruments --- p.56 / Data analysis --- p.64 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Results / Descriptives analyses --- p.66 / Correlation analyses --- p.83 / Regression analyses --- p.88 / Supplementary qualitative data --- p.90 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussion and conclusion / Stressors --- p.98 / Coping --- p.104 / Social support --- p.108 / Quality of life --- p.110 / "Stress, coping, social support and quality of life" --- p.114 / Predictors of quality of life --- p.119 / Conclusions --- p.122 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Limitation of the study --- p.124 / Implications and recommendations --- p.126 / References --- p.128 / Appendices / Chapter A. --- Table showing relationship of the use & effectiveness of eight coping styles with length of time on treatment / Chapter B. --- Descriptions of eight coping styles on the 1987 revised Jalowiec Coping Scale / Chapter C. --- A Sample of interview script / Chapter D. --- Letter of ethical approval / Chapter E. --- Letter of request for permission to conduct researchin clinical setting / Chapter F. --- Letter of request for revealing Hemodialysis Stressor Scale / Chapter G. --- Questionnaire / Chapter H. --- Consent form