M.A. (Psychology) / The purpose of this study was to determine whether psychological factors contribute to the rejection of a transplanted kidney. After a review of existing literature on the relationship between various psychological factors and immunological system of the body, it was hypothesized that psychological factors such as state- and trait anxiety, stress, locus of control as well as hopelessness would affect immune responses, and therefore contribute to the acceptance or rejection of a transplanted kidney. In order to test the hypothesis, patients of the Johannesburg Hospital undergoing haemodialysis and on the waiting list for kidney transplant were tested. Out of the initial sample, 12 of these patients, who had undergone a renal transplant, were used in the study. Out of the 12 patients, 6 patients had accepted the graft, while 6 patients had rejected the graft. The tests used in the study were the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, Hopelessness Scale, Health Locus of Control and the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. The analysis of the data indicated a significant difference in the mean score for the two groups with relation to state anxiety, trait anxiety and health locus of control. The results indicated that the higher the state and trait anxiety, and the more internal the health locus of control of the patient, the greater the chances that the graft would be accepted. The results of this study indicated that psychological factors do contribute to the immune response of the body to a transplanted kidney. This would imply that more research is necessary to establish influence of various psychological as well as social variables in transplants and medical immunology.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:4206 |
| Date | 03 March 2014 |
| Creators | Burke, Alban |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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