A longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis of the process of kidney recipients' resolution of complex ambiguities within relationships with their living donors

Spiers, Johanna; Smith, Jonathan A.; Drage, Martin

Abstract

Much previous research into living kidney donation has focused on the decision-making of the donor, despite evidence suggesting this may be a more psychologically challenging time for the recipient. This longitudinal study explores the experiences of four recipients of kidneys from living donors throughout the transplant process. Transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three themes arose from the data, which were as follows: changing perceptions of relationships with kidney donors; upbeat, temporal strategies for remaining positive and journey of the self. Findings from the first theme are presented in detail here. It was found that each participants’ relationship with their donor grew and developed in different ways, presenting their own complex challenges in terms of developing relationships and ambiguity around the decision to use the chosen donor.

Citation

Spiers, J., Smith, J. A., & Drage, M. (2016). A longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis of the process of kidney recipients' resolution of complex ambiguities within relationships with their living donors. Journal of health psychology, 21(11), 2600-2611. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105315581070

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 14, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Apr 30, 2015
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 19, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: May 19, 2015
• Journal: Journal of health psychology
• Print ISSN: 1359-1053
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7277
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 2600-2611
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105315581070
• Keywords: Kidney, Interpretative phenomenological analysis, Illness, Organ transplant, Qualitative methods
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/373897
• Publisher URL: http://hpq.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/04/28/1359105315581070.abstract
• Additional Information: Author's accepted manuscript of article published in: Journal of health psychology, 2015