This study aimed to analyze the different semantic fields associated with inducing stimuli: Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) treatment, hemodialysis and depression, elaborated by patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) on hemodialysis with and without symptoms of depression. Fifteen patients on hemodialysis participated in this study, their aged were between 20 and 73 years (M= 46.05; SD = 13.4), who answered to a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Free Word Association Test. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and factorial correspondence analysis. The results indicated that 20% of patients had depressive symptoms. The knowledge of common sense about the CRF was focused on the ignorance of the causes which lead to kidney disease and related to the treatment and its associated difficulties, which was considered a nightmare. The treatment was based on the therapeutic triad: hemodialysis sessions, diet and medication, as well as in the emotional support from care and hope. The semantic field about the hemodialysis stimulus was represented by the symbolic representation of the machine and by the death eminence. The symptom of depression has been objectified in the elements: agony, sadness, crying, and lack of desire and support. The results highlighted the importance of emotional, family and social support to kidney patients once it was observed that support was mentioned as one of the key factors in helping both the Chronic Renal Failure and the depression.
Social representation; hemodialysis; depression
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