Psychosocial Adjustment and Adherence to Prescribed Medical Care of Children and Adolescents on Dialysis

Since the release of the last edition of this text, there have been limited advances in research devoted to better understanding the impact of pediatric end-stage renal disease and dialysis treatment on psychological functioning or treatment adherence. However, the existing evidence base demonstrates that living with ESRD and receiving dialysis can be physically and emotionally burdensome for children and their families. Although many aspects of dialysis cannot be changed, there are some aspects of the treatment that can be modified to promote quality of life and address children’s responses to treatment that may positively influence their mood, coping, and health outcomes.