Psychosocial factors in bone marrow transplantation: a review and recommendations for research

The evolution of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from an experimental to a conventional form of therapy has been accompanied by an evolution in BMT-related research. While biomedically-related research continues to be most prominent, research investigating various psychosocial issues raised in the BMT setting has increased in recent years. Three major areas of BMT-related psychosocial research are identified: (1) pre-BMT decision-making, (2) post-BMT outcomes (including issues regarding coping and adaptation, compliance and quality of life, and (3) bone marrow donation. Within each area, the existing literature regarding psychosocial aspects of BMT is reviewed and recommendations for further psychosocial research are advanced.