Mediating effect of anxiety and depression between family function and hope in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the levels of hope in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), and whether anxiety and depression mediate the relationship between family function and hope. METHODS: The family APGAR index, hospital anxiety and depression scale, and Herth hope index were recorded using the self-reported questionnaires completed by 227 MHD patients. RESULTS: The family function can directly predict hope, positively predict hope through depression (β = 0.052, p = 0.001), and positively predict hope through the chain mediating of anxiety and depression (β = 0.087, p = 0.001), according to chain mediation analysis. The total effect size was 28.31%. The total indirect effect value was 0.139, and the total effect value was 0.491. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that family function had a direct impact on MHD patients’ hope, and that lowering anxiety and depression can help to feel more hopeful.