Effect of family environment and donor source on patient quality of life following renal transplantation

Alan J. Christensen, Katherine Raichle, Shawna L. Ehlers, J. Andrew Bertolatus

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors examined the degree to which the supportiveness of a patient's family environment predicts change in quality of life following renal transplantation. The sample consisted of 95 patients receiving renal grafts from either a living donor or a cadaveric donor. Patients were initially assessed prior to transplantation with follow-up assessment occurring an average of 5.5 months after transplantation. Among patients receiving a living-donor kidney, those reporting a more supportive family environment exhibited reduced depression, improved mobility, and improved social functioning. However, those living-donor recipients reporting less family support exhibited increased depression and diminished mobility and social functioning after transplantation. Patients receiving a kidney from a cadaveric donor showed modest improvements in quality of life regardless of the degree of family support.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)468-476
Number of pages9
JournalHealth Psychology
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2002

Keywords

  • Family support
  • Quality of life
  • Renal transplantation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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