Stigma and Self-Management in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationship between stigma and self-management among patients undergoing hemodialysis and to identify the key factors influencing their self-management practices. Methods: A convenience sample of 139 hemodialysis patients, aged 18 years or older with an arteriovenous fistula, was recruited from online websites designed for patients undergoing hemodialysis in South Korea. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire that assessed demographic and clinical characteristics, self-management behavior, and stigma. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson r correlations, and hierarchical regression analysis to evaluate the influence of stigma on self-management. Results: Hierarchical regression analysis showed that demographic and clinical characteristics accounted for 25.1% of the variance in self-management, and the inclusion of stigma increased the explained variance to 31.4%. Significant predictors included the number of hemodialysis sessions per week (≥3) (β=–.38, p<.001), stigma (β=–.27, p<.001), monthly household income (≥4 million won) (β=.24, p=.014), and marital status (single) (β=–.18, p=.028). Conclusion: The findings highlight the substantial impact of stigma and treatment burden on self-management, while socioeconomic status and marital support serve as protective factors. Targeted interventions that reduce stigma and strengthen support systems are warranted.