Dialysis patients, who suffer from end-stage renal disease, experience severe symptoms and undergo an invasive treatment which negatively impacts their daily lives. Patients suffering from other...Show moreDialysis patients, who suffer from end-stage renal disease, experience severe symptoms and undergo an invasive treatment which negatively impacts their daily lives. Patients suffering from other chronic diseases have shown to improve their well-being through self-management behaviour. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether self-management acts as a mediator on the relations between self-efficacy, optimism and health outcomes (physical and mental quality of life, symptoms and symptom severity). This observational research was performed using online self-report questionnaires, taken by 39 Dutch dialysis patients that were recruited by their nephrologists. Self-management did not mediate the associations between self-efficacy, optimism and health outcomes. Higher levels of self-management were correlated with higher levels of self-efficacy. Higher levels of self-efficacy were strongly correlated with higher levels of self-management, mental quality of life and physical quality of life and with lower levels of bodily symptoms and symptom severity. Higher levels of optimism were correlated with lower levels of bodily symptoms and symptom severity. This means that even though self-management is correlated with self-efficacy and health outcomes, it does not influence their relation. Secondly, as optimism and self-management were not correlated, it could mean that optimism does not focus on behaviour but exemplifies a cognitive state. Considering the small sample size, it is advised to replicate this research and include more participants. This research contributes to the relatively new body of knowledge concerning the association of self-management and health outcomes in dialysis patients, which is vital for the development of chronic healthcare.Show less