Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Quality of Life among Kidney Transplant Recipients

Objective The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between perceived social support and quality of life (QOL) among recipients after kidney transplantation. Methods 210 kidney transplant recipients participated in this survey, and survey tools included the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36). Results The mean scores of kidney transplant recipients for MSPSS three sub-scales family support, friend support, and significant others support were 6.18±0.90, 5.48±1.32, 5.65±1.05 respectively, while MSPSS total scale score was 5.77±0.91. The mean scores for SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) were 47.48±6.70, 48.40±9.65 respectively. Recipients’ PCS scores were correlated to significant others support sub-scale score and MSPSS total score significantly (P<0.05), while MCS scores were correlated to three sub-scales scales and total scale score (P<0.01). Conclusion Perceived social support of patients after kidney transplantation was significant related to their quality of life. The higher perceived social support was associated with the better quality of life.