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The following is a summary of “Effects of interpersonal relationships and forgiveness on post-traumatic growth in hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study,” published in the April 2025 issue of BMC Nephrology by Ye et al. 

Post-traumatic growth reflects the quality of life in patients with hemodialysis. Interpersonal relationships and forgiveness may influence their post-traumatic growth. Given that hemodialysis is a common treatment for end-stage CKD, understanding psychological factors affecting these patients is critical. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to explore the relationships between interpersonal relationships, forgiveness, and post-traumatic growth in patients with hemodialysis.  

They conducted a cross-sectional study from August to October 2022 with a convenience sample of 369 patients with hemodialysis from 9 hospitals. Participants completed the Interpersonal Relationship Comprehensive Diagnosis Scale, Heartland Forgiveness Scale, Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, and provided demographic and clinical information. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and multiple linear regression identified variables associated with post-traumatic growth scores. 

The results showed that interpersonal relationships had a significant negative correlation with forgiveness (r = -0.251, P<0.01) and post-traumatic growth (r = -0.112, P = 0.02). A significant positive correlation was found between forgiveness and post-traumatic growth (r = 0.169, P<0.01). In regression analysis, gender (β = 0.195, P<0.01), marital status (β = 0.156, P<0.01), number of complications (β = -0.194, P<0.01), interpersonal relationships (β = -0.098, P = 0.03), and forgiveness (β = 0.127, P = 0.01) significantly impacted post-traumatic growth. 

Investigators found significant correlations among interpersonal relationships, forgiveness, and post-traumatic growth. Gender, marital status, number of complications, interpersonal relationships, and forgiveness were related to post-traumatic growth in patients with hemodialysis. 

Source: bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12882-025-04141-z