Coping with Chronic Life-Threatening Illness: Psychosocial Perspectives on End Stage Renal Disease

The medical & psychosocial situation of end stage renal disease patients is described & the available research literature is critically reviewed under the following headings: mood-depression, suicide, rehabilitation, pain, marital & sexual functioning, quality of life, course or adjustment, compliance, dialysis unit enviroment, & sensory-cognitive deficits. Methodological problems, typical intervention techniques, & recommendations for research are discussed.