Barriers to Care, Depressive Symptoms, and Moderating Factors among Patients with ESRD

Author

Amarachukwu O. Nwangwu, University of Richmond

Date of Award

4-29-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Camilla Nonterah

Abstract

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the fifth and final stage of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and has been reported to have the highest prevalence rate in the United States, with about 2,242 cases per million in the total population in 2017 (Johansen et al., 2021). Current studies document a high prevalence of depression among patients with ESRD which may lead to increased mortality (Shirazian et al., 2017). Additionally, barriers in access to care, which may be understood as the barriers that prevent individuals from seeking mental health services, has been linked to increased levels of undertreatment (Clement et al., 2012). The research linking ESRD, and depression is clear, however, few studies document the relationship between barriers to care and depressive symptoms. Therefore, the goals of the current study are to investigate the relationship between barriers in access to care and depressive symptoms among patients with ESRD, as well as the role of race/ethnicity and gender in moderating that relationship. Identifying the relationship between barriers in access to care and depressive symptoms may help provide direct interventions, that may improve health outcomes among patients with ESRD.

Recommended Citation

Nwangwu, Amarachukwu O., "Barriers to Care, Depressive Symptoms, and Moderating Factors among Patients with ESRD" (2022). Honors Theses. 1602.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1602