Susan Caruso Klock1, Jan Elman Stout, Marie Davidson. 1. Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. sck318@northwestern.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess post-donation psychological status of a large sample of professionally recruited, paid anonymous donors and to determine whether there were any differences between those who were willing to donate again and those who were not. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Healthy donors who were recruited by two private groups. SUBJECT(S): One hundred fifteen donors who had completed at least one donation cycle at one of six IVF programs in a large Midwestern city. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-report questionnaire assessing psychological symptoms, self-esteem, expectations, satisfaction, and attitudes toward donation. RESULT(S): Psychological symptomatology and self-esteem were in the normal range. Altruism and compensation were the two most frequently cited motivators for donation. Of the donors, 82% were moderately to very satisfied with the donation experience. First-time donors were significantly younger, reported more post-donation psychiatric symptoms, and had slightly lower self-esteem. Of the donors, 35% stated they would donate again; 37% would not, and 28% were undecided. Donors who were willing to donate again reported significantly less ambivalence about donation and significantly greater satisfaction with the medical aspects of donation. CONCLUSION(S): Approximately one third of donors are willing to donate more than once. These women report less ambivalence and greater satisfaction with the donation experience.
OBJECTIVE: To assess post-donation psychological status of a large sample of professionally recruited, paid anonymous donors and to determine whether there were any differences between those who were willing to donate again and those who were not. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Healthy donors who were recruited by two private groups. SUBJECT(S): One hundred fifteen donors who had completed at least one donation cycle at one of six IVF programs in a large Midwestern city. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-report questionnaire assessing psychological symptoms, self-esteem, expectations, satisfaction, and attitudes toward donation. RESULT(S): Psychological symptomatology and self-esteem were in the normal range. Altruism and compensation were the two most frequently cited motivators for donation. Of the donors, 82% were moderately to very satisfied with the donation experience. First-time donors were significantly younger, reported more post-donation psychiatric symptoms, and had slightly lower self-esteem. Of the donors, 35% stated they would donate again; 37% would not, and 28% were undecided. Donors who were willing to donate again reported significantly less ambivalence about donation and significantly greater satisfaction with the medical aspects of donation. CONCLUSION(S): Approximately one third of donors are willing to donate more than once. These women report less ambivalence and greater satisfaction with the donation experience.