Could Anxiety, Hopelessness and Health Locus of Control Contribute to the Outcome of a Kidney Transplant?

Abstract

My main objective in this study was to determine whether psychological factors contribute to the rejection, or acceptance, of a transplanted kidney. It was hypothesised that psychological factors such as state and trait anxiety, hopelessness and locus of control would affect immune responses, and therefore contribute to the acceptance or rejection of a transplanted kidney. The research design used was an ex-post facto, comparative design. An initial sample of 85 patients, on the waiting list for a renal transplant, completed the questionnaires voluntarily. The data obtained from these questionnaires was stored until a sufficient number of these patients had undergone a transplant (23 patients in total). Based on the outcome (six months post-operatively) of the transplant, patients were categorised in either the Reject or Accept group. A period of six months post-operatively was decided on in order to allow for the possibility of hyperacute and acute rejection. In the final analysis there were 11 patients in the Accept group, and 12 patients in the Reject group. In order to test the hypotheses, patients were tested by means of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, Hopelessness Scale, and the Health Locus of Control Scale. The analysis of the data indicated a significant difference in the mean score for the two groups with relation to state anxiety, trait anxiety and health locus of control. The group that accepted the transplanted kidney had a more internal health locus of control and higher state and trait anxiety scores than the group that rejected the kidney.