Journal of Health Psychology

 

Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

The Diabetes Educator

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (1)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Orr, A.
Right arrow Articles by Orr, D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Orr, A.
Right arrow Articles by Orr, D.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 12, No. 4, 653-662 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1359105307078172
© 2007 SAGE Publications

Living with a Kidney Transplant

A Qualitative Investigation of Quality of Life

Anne Orr

University Hospital of Hartlepool, UK, anne.orr{at}nth.nhs.uk

Susan Willis

James Cook University Hospital, UK

Michael Holmes

Leeds Metropolitan University, UK

Peter Britton

University of Teesside, UK

David Orr

University of Sussex, UK

Research has shown that transplantation improves quality of life for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), although it does not return to pre-kidney failure levels. This study used focus groups to explore the experience of living with a transplanted kidney. The data were analysed, using thematic analysis, and the following themes were identified: medicalization; fear; gratitude; and coping. These may necessitate constant vigilance, reduced spontaneity and preoccupation with self-care to maintain the kidney's health; being treated differently from others; pressure not to let themselves and others down; and the urge to increase their knowledge about their condition. It was found that these themes pervade the lives of the recipients and that the psychosocial effects of transplantation are long-lasting.

Key Words: focus groups • gratitude • kidney transplant • medicalization • quality of life


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?