title: Effect of family environment and donor source on patient quality of life following renal transplantation.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA. alan-christensen@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Raichle
authors.forename: Shawna L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ehlers
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bertolatus
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012803:Sick Role; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology*