title: The psychological experiences of adult heart transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-summary of qualitative findings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psychosocial factors and physical health are associated with increased psychological distress post-heart transplant. Integrating findings from qualitative studies could highlight mechanisms for how these factors contribute to psychological well-being, thus aiding the development of interventions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To integrate qualitative findings regarding adult heart transplant recipients experiences, such as their emotions, perceptions and attitudes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review and meta-summary were conducted. Data from seven studies were categorized into 16 abstracted findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most prominent finding across the studies related to recipients' perceptions of the importance of social support. Other prominent findings related to factors that promoted psychological well-being, such as faith, optimism and sense of control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychological well-being may be improved by enhancing perceived control over health and daily life, promoting an optimistic outlook by facilitating access to social support from other heart transplant recipients and ensuring post-transplant recipient-caregiver partnerships adequately support the transition back to independence.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Level 7, 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia. Electronic address: Aaron.conway@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conway
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schadewaldt
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ski
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Doering
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Anxiety; Cardiac transplant; Depression; Heart transplant; Meta-summary; Meta-synthesis; Qualitative; Quality of life