Donor and nondonor motivations

In an attempt to gain insight into the motivations of blood donors and nondonors, two paper and pencil questionnaires were developed and mailed to approximately 7,000 individuals. In response, 1,429 nondonors and 200 donors completed and returned usable questionnaires. Among donors, awareness of the need for blood, altruism, and investment for the future (blood credit) were the chief motivating factors. Among nondonors the major deterrent was belief in medical disqualification. Of the 33 per cent who claimed medical disqualification, 40 per cent gave clearly invalid or questionable reasons. Fear, while a substantial factor among nondonors, was not as great a deterrent to blood donation as had been previously thought. A dimension focusing upon failure to confront the issue of donating was derived and found to equal or exceed fear in importance. The influence of such items as sex, age, number of donations, and number of children on reasons expressed was examined. The major results were compared with the findings of previous studies. An approach-avoidance model of blood donation was outlined, and implications for donor recruitment are discussed.