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Published on: September 6, 2017
The psychosocial impact of haematopoietic SCT on sibling donors
1School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Sibling donors experience varied emotions during peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation. Understanding these psychosocial impacts is crucial for providing adequate support to stem cell donors.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Psychology
Background:
- Stem cell transplantation (SCT) has significant physical and psychosocial effects on cancer patients and their families.
- The psychosocial experiences of sibling donors undergoing invasive procedures are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the psychosocial impact of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation on sibling donors.
- To understand donor experiences during preparation, donation, and post-donation phases.
Main Methods:
- Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from 22 sibling donors (aged mean 53.1 years) who donated between 2007 and 2010.
- Data collection involved face-to-face or telephone interviews.
Main Results:
- Donors reported a wide spectrum of positive and negative emotions throughout the donation process.
- Psychosocial impact was influenced by logistical factors, family dynamics, preparation, emotional support, and health outcome uncertainty.
Conclusions:
- Routine psychosocial support for both stem cell donors and recipients is essential.
- Addressing the multifaceted psychosocial needs of sibling donors can improve their overall experience.
Abstract:
The physical and psychosocial consequences for patients undergoing blood SCT for the treatment of cancer and their families have been extensively documented. There has, however, been far less investigation into the psychosocial consequences for sibling donors who are both family members and undergoing an invasive medical procedure. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the psychosocial impact of PBSC donation before, during and after donation, and to gain insight into donors' experiences of the preparation for, and procedures associated with, donation. Participants included 13 men and 9 women, with a mean age of 53.1 (SD=9.4) years, who underwent PBSC or BM donation between 2007 and 2010. Data were collected via face-to-face or telephone interviews and a questionnaire. Results revealed that a broad range of both positive and negative emotions were experienced at different time points during donation. The psychosocial impact of donation was also influenced by the interactions between factors such as pragmatic aspects of the donation process; family dynamics; perceived adequacy of preparation and emotional support; and uncertainty related to health outcomes for the recipient and donor. Routine provision of psychosocial support to donors as well as recipients is therefore important.
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