Psychological experiences of living kidney donors: A descriptive phenomenological study
https://doi.org/10.52235/lp.v7i4.1033
Keywords:
kidney transplantation, living donors, psychological adaptation, qualitative researchAbstract
Background: Living kidney donors are healthy individuals who undergo major surgical procedures to benefit transplant recipients. Despite rigorous health screening, donors' experiences related to decision-making, emotional responses, and post-donation adjustment remain underexplored in the Indonesian context. Understanding these experiences is essential for identifying donors' psychosocial needs and developing more appropriate psychosocial assessments and transplant nursing care.
Objective: This study aimed to explore the psychological experiences of living kidney donors undergoing kidney donation at Dr. M. Djamil Central General Hospital, Padang.
Methods: This qualitative study used a descriptive phenomenological approach. Nine living kidney donors were recruited through purposive sampling and participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted from June to July 2026. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method through the identification of significant statements, formulation of meanings, categorization, development of subthemes, and generation of themes. Trustworthiness was supported through member checking, and recruitment continued until data saturation was achieved.
Results: Three main themes were identified: internal drivers underlying the decision to donate, emotional responses throughout the donation process, and self-acceptance and meaning-making after donation. Participants' experiences reflected a dynamic psychological process that began with relational motivations and personal values influencing the decision to donate, continued through diverse emotional responses during transplantation, and progressed toward acceptance, adaptation, and meaning-making after donation.
Conclusion: The psychological experiences of living kidney donors constitute a personal and dynamic process involving decision-making, emotional responses, adjustment, and meaning-making after donation. Transplant services should strengthen psychosocial support and nursing care from the pre-donation evaluation phase through post-donation follow-up to promote donors' overall well-being.
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