IngentaConnect Psychological processing of transplantation in lung recipients: A...

Authors: Goetzmann, Lutz¹; Irani, Sarosh²; Moser, Karin S.³; Schwegler, Kyrill¹; Stamm, Martina¹; Spindler, Anja¹; Buddeberg, Claus¹; Schmid, Christoph²; Boehler, Annette²; Klaghofer, Richard¹

Source: British Journal of Health Psychology, Volume 14, Number 4, November 2009 , pp. 667-680(14)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

Abstract:

Objectives:

Lung recipients undergo a complex psychological process, including organ integration and processing of attitudes towards the organ donor.

Design:

Seventy-six lung recipients were asked to participate in a cross-sectional questionnaire study on the psychological processing of lung transplants.

Methods:

The questionnaire consisted of statements describing aspects of organ integration and the patient's relationship with the donor. Furthermore, chronic stress/psychological distress (Screening Scale of the Trier Inventory; Symptom Checklist SCL-K-9) and the emotional effects of transplantation/immunosuppression (Transplant Effects Questionnaire; Medication Experience Scale for Immunosuppressants) were assessed.

Results:

In general, lung recipients perceive the transplant as part of themselves (97.4%) and not as a foreign object (90%). One-third of patients still have frequent thoughts about the donor, whilst the majority (80.3%) do not believe that they have adopted the donor's characteristic traits. Factor analysis reveals the two-dimensional structure of the questionnaire items `organ integration' (factor 1) and `relationship to the donor' (factor 2). Poor organ integration predicts low adherence, low disclosure and high feelings of guilt, whilst a close donor relationship predicts chronic stress and psychological distress.

Conclusions:

Poor organ integration and a close relationship to the donor should be borne in mind in psychosocial treatment regarding the patient's adherence behaviour and psychological distress.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1348/135910708X399447

Affiliations: 1: Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland 2: Pulmonary Medicine and Lung Transplant Programme, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland 3: Department of Social Psychology, Roehampton University, London, UK

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Psychological processing of transplantation in lung recipients: A quantitative study of organ integration and the relationship to the donor