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Health Literacy, Disease Perception, Coping Style, and Self-Management in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Kidney transplantation (KT) is a life-saving procedure that requires recipients to maintain long-term self-management and adapt psychologically to optimize health outcomes. However, gaps remain in understanding how health literacy, disease perception, and coping styles influence self-management behaviors in this population. This study examined the interrelationships among health literacy, disease perception, coping style, and self-management behavior in KT patients in China. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed with 320 KT recipients who completed a structured questionnaire assessing the four study variables. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent-sample t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analyses. Findings show that participants demonstrated moderate health literacy, with relatively strong communication and information-seeking skills, but lower motivation to improve health and limited financial capacity for healthcare. Disease perception was moderate, indicating a serious appraisal of the condition. Confrontation was the most commonly adopted coping style, followed by acceptance–resignation, and avoidance. Overall, self-management behavior was low, particularly in physical activity and psychosocial domains. Gender was significantly associated with health literacy; age, comorbidity, and employment status were related to coping styles; and gender and marital status influenced self-management. Disease perception correlated negatively with health literacy and self-management, while health literacy correlated positively with self-management. Positive coping styles were linked to lower disease perception and improved self-management. Overall, enhancing health literacy and promoting adaptive coping styles may strengthen self-management among KT recipients. Tailored nursing interventions, improved follow-up systems, and greater social and policy support are recommended to facilitate successful long-term adaptation. Future work should test the proposed relationships longitudinally and with mediational modeling to clarify causal pathways and potential moderators in diverse Chinese settings.

Source: International Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.14419/hc1gxd55

Authors: Ping Zhang, Glenn E. Dolendo, Sheilla M. Trajera, Gregory S. Ching

Institutions: Shandong University, University of St. La Salle, Second Hospital of Shandong University, National Chengchi University

Topic: Health Literacy and Information Accessibility

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4415357899

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