An investigatory study to determine whether the live kidney donor experiences benefits from a psychological and physical perspective
Authors
Graham, Gillian
Issue Date
2009
Degree
BA in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The aim of the current study is to investigate whether live donation has positive or negative psychosocial and physical effects on the live donor. The conditions of the independent variable are live kidney donors (n=20) and a sample of the general population (n=20). Gender, relationship to recipient and when donated are also independent variables in this study. The dependent variables are positive and negative affect, self esteem, quality of life and health. The main hypoFinal Year Project of the current study is that there will be a significant difference between the self-esteem, positive and negative affect, quality of life and health of live donors as compared to the general population, but the relationship to the recipient, when donation took place and gender of the donor is also investigated to see if there is a significant difference of self esteem, positive and negative affect, quality of life, and health. An Independent t-test and Univariate Analysis of Variance was used to examine the hypoFinal Year Project. The results concluded that although the live donors do report a higher self esteem, positive affect, quality of life and health, there is not a significant difference, thus rejecting the hypotheses. The implications of the study do reveal that although no significance was found, no live donor reported a lessening of self esteem, positive affect, quality of life and health, as compared to a sample of the general population.