The social network and support of kidney transplantees

Abstract

Objective: to know the social network and support of those who experience the process of kidney disease and transplantation.

Methods: a descriptive qualitative study, based on the concept of social network and social support from Sherbourne and Stewart. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from November 2013 to September 2014, with 12 kidney transplantees, which passed through content analysis. This study had the following selection criteria: the interviewee must have had a transplant five years ago, at most, be at lease 16 years of age and have preserved cognitive and language skills.

Results: three categories were constructed from the analysis process that link the family as the main component of the social network, health service offers support in its various dimensions, even if it is occasionally disconnected; other interpersonal relationships are mentioned as vulnerable in this process; spirituality helps in coping.

Conclusions: despite the different forms of support for transplantees, weaknesses were observed in these networks and social supports.