Attitudes and intention to donate oocytes for research.
OBJECTIVE
In 2007, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority permitted oocyte donation for research through voluntary donation or within an oocyte share model. The aims of this study were to investigate volunteer (nonpatient) women's attitudes and intentions to donate using components of the Theory of Planned Behavior and their attitudes toward parenthood through structural equation modeling.


METHODS
Questionnaires.


METHODS
Online.


METHODS
A total of 253 nonpatient women.


METHODS
Attitudes towards oocyte donation for research and reasons for parenthood scale.


RESULTS
Of the 253 respondents, 94 were potential donors, 98 were possible donors, and 61 were non-donors. Most potential donors (68%) reported no preference towards donating their oocytes for research or an infertile couple. Structural equation modeling revealed that age (beta = -.03) and components of the TPB (beta = .16) had a statistically significant direct effect on intentions to donate for research. Attitudes toward parenthood was not linked to intentions to donate for research.


CONCLUSIONS
There appears to be a strong altruistic motive along with the theoretical underpinnings of positive attitudes, feeling supported, and accepting the consequences of oocyte donation for research, suggesting these have the potential to inform recruitment practices and tailor clinical services.
Purewal
Satvinder
S
Department of Psychology, School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University, Ravensfield Building, The Burroughs, Hendon, London NW4 4BT, UK. S.Purewal@mdx.ac.uk
van den Akker
Olga
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000941:ethics; D002648:Child; D002668:Child Rearing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D033182:Intention; D008875:Middle Aged; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult