title: Explaining the quality of life of organ transplant patients by using crisis theory.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ubiquitous findings regarding the quality of life (QOL) of transplant patients have yet to be explained from a theoretical perspective.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate transplant patients' QOL by using the conceptual framework of crisis theory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study to explore differences in transplant patients' experiences of stress, coping, and QOL. Regression analysis was used to test crisis theory in relation to QOL, stress, and coping.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 226 participants representing transplant candidates, transplant recipients, and nontransplant individuals participated via survey-based data collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that transplant candidates experience lower QOL than transplant recipients and nontransplant individuals. No significant differences were detected regarding stress levels or coping styles. Stress made a significant contribution to patients' QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current findings suggest important QOL benefits of organ transplant. Using a theoretical model is an effective way to investigate the QOL of people experiencing chronic illness such as end-stage organ failure. Further investigation is required to reach a conclusive understanding of the complex interaction between transplant patients' QOL, stress, and coping.
authors.affiliation: RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Denny
authors.affiliation: RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Mandy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kienhuis
authors.affiliation: RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gavidia-Payne
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D066027:Transplant Recipients / Q000523:psychology*