When do Next-of-Kin Opt-In? Anticipated Regret, Affective Attitudes and Donating Deceased Family Member’s Organs

Citation

Shepherd L & O'Carroll R (2014) When do Next-of-Kin Opt-In? Anticipated Regret, Affective Attitudes and Donating Deceased Family Member’s Organs. Journal of Health Psychology, 19 (12), pp. 1508-1517. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105313493814

Abstract
This research assessed whether affective factors promote and prevent family members from donating their loved one's organs. Participants (N = 191) imagined that a family member had died and that they had to decide whether or not to donate their organs and body parts for transplantation purposes. The least organs and body parts were donated when the deceased opposed donation. Moreover, participants who were not registered organ donors donated fewer organs than registered donors. This effect was mediated by anticipated regret, disgust and the perceived benefits of donation. Organ donation campaigns should target such factors to increase donor rates.

Keywords
beliefs; emotions; family; health promotion; mediator

Journal
Journal of Health Psychology: Volume 19, Issue 12

People

Professor Ronan O'Carroll

Professor, Psychology