Abstract: Objective: Describe the characteristics and influencing factors of family functioning in adult patients undergoing Hemodialysis. Methods: Using convenient sampling following simple random method, a total of 378 cases of middle-aged and young adult patients with Hemodialysis was enrolled in the current study from 14 tertiary hospitals in Shenzhen, between November 2018 and March 2019. The characteristics of these patients was collected via questionnaires, including the general demographic questionnaire, the scale in assessing family functioning, and the Social Support Rating Scale. Following multiple linear regression analysis, potential influencing factors for family functioning was identified. Results: In this sample, the mean score on family functioning was 8.00 (6.00, 9.00), with 253 (67.0%) patients reported with adequate family function, but 101 (26.7%) patients were reported with moderate family dysfunction, and 24 (6.3%) patients with severe family dysfunction. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that marital status along with working condition, medical payment method, interpersonal relationship during illness and social support were significant factors for family functioning in the model among these patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: In general, the overall family functioning of middle-aged and young adult patients undergoing Hemodialysis is identified as moderate and above average in this sample. In addition, marital status, working condition, medical payment method, interpersonal relationship during illness, and social support are suggested to be potential influencing factors of family functioning among these patients.

Key words: middle-aged and young adult patient; Hemodialysis; family functioning; influencing factors