Rupert Conrad1, Alexandra Kleiman2, Stefanie Rambau2, Ingo Wegener2, Martin Mücke3, Ramona Christina Dolscheid-Pommerich4, Berndt Zur4, Franziska Geiser2. 1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. Electronic address: Rupert.Conrad@ukb.uni-bonn.de. 2. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. 3. Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Palliative Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. 4. Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We compared the personality of kidney donor candidates to non-donor controls and analyzed the personality profile of candidates psychosocially at risk. METHODS: 49 consecutive living kidney donor candidates underwent an extensive psychosocial evaluation. Psychosocial risk factors concerning knowledge of donation risks (1), donor-recipient-relationship (2), and/or mental health (3) were rated on a 3-point rating scale (0=high risk, 2=no risk). Furthermore, candidates as well as 49 age-and gender-matched non-donor controls filled in questionnaires concerning psychological distress (Symptom Checklist 90-R) and personality (Temperament and Character Inventory). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between candidates and controls concerning psychological distress or personality. Psychosocial assessment identified 13 candidates (26.5%) with increased psychosocial risk. This group displayed compared to candidates without psychosocial risk no difference concerning age, gender, formal education, donor-recipient relationship and psychological distress. However, this group scored significantly higher on reward dependence compared to suitable donors and controls (p<0.05). Reward dependence was associated with a lack of adequate knowledge on donation (r=-0.35, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Reward dependence has important implications for decision-making, because it is associated with an increased tendency to deny potential risks of donation. Careful identification and assessment of reward dependent donor candidates is needed to ensure a free-willed decision.
OBJECTIVE: We compared the personality of kidney donor candidates to non-donor controls and analyzed the personality profile of candidates psychosocially at risk. METHODS: 49 consecutive living kidney donor candidates underwent an extensive psychosocial evaluation. Psychosocial risk factors concerning knowledge of donation risks (1), donor-recipient-relationship (2), and/or mental health (3) were rated on a 3-point rating scale (0=high risk, 2=no risk). Furthermore, candidates as well as 49 age-and gender-matched non-donor controls filled in questionnaires concerning psychological distress (Symptom Checklist 90-R) and personality (Temperament and Character Inventory). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between candidates and controls concerning psychological distress or personality. Psychosocial assessment identified 13 candidates (26.5%) with increased psychosocial risk. This group displayed compared to candidates without psychosocial risk no difference concerning age, gender, formal education, donor-recipient relationship and psychological distress. However, this group scored significantly higher on reward dependence compared to suitable donors and controls (p<0.05). Reward dependence was associated with a lack of adequate knowledge on donation (r=-0.35, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Reward dependence has important implications for decision-making, because it is associated with an increased tendency to deny potential risks of donation. Careful identification and assessment of reward dependent donor candidates is needed to ensure a free-willed decision.
Authors: César Leal-Costa; Antonio Jesús Ramos-Morcillo; Fermín Martínez Zaragoza; Purificación Bernabeu Juan; Jesús Rodríguez-Marín; María Ruzafa-Martínez; Carlos Javier van-der Hofstadt Román Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-08-14 Impact factor: 3.240