Abstract

The fantasy life and self-esteem of 22 male and 13 female renal dialysis patients and their spouses were examined using a Self-Esteem Evaluation Scale, Empathic Fantasy Scale, and eight portions of the Imaginal Process Inventory reflecting eight types of fantasy use. For the patient group as a whole, a high degree of fantasy behavior was associated with low self-esteem, but the sex of the patient made a difference. Frequency of fantasy was shown to be indicative of poor adjustment for female dialysis patients, but not for male dialysis patients. Results also indicated that patients, without regard to sex, were more prone toward guilt fantasies in which they were punished for some wrongdoing such as feelings of anger toward people involved in their treatment or envy of others who do not suffer their same disability.