The Self-Image of Unrelated Bone Marrow Donors

Bibliographic Data

ID2545831
AuthorsRoberta G Simmons, Mindy Schimmel, Victoria A Butterworth, VA Butterworth
Year1993
Volume34
Issue4
Pages285
Publication date1993-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Health and Social Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-1465 • E-ISSN: 2150-6000
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/2137368
PMID8034947
OpenAlexW2314881360
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited15

This study investigated the self-image of individuals who donate bone marrow to strangers as part of the National Marrow Donor Program. Quantitative surveys were administered to donors before donating (N = 849), shortly after donating (N = 754), and a year after donating (N = 370). In addition, 52 donors were interviewed in-depth by telephone at the same three points in time. Many of these donors felt that by donating bone marrow they were actualizing a central trait in their identity. Thus, many donors believed that they were distinct from others in the centrality of the traits of helpfulness and generosity to their identities. This belief often stemmed from a strong emphasis on helping in their families of origin. Other qualities activated by donation included religious identity, being a helping professional, and desire to be a role model. Self-evaluation appeared to have been enhanced for some donors due to the donation

Aesthetics · Bone marrow · Donation · Generosity · Helpfulness · Identity (music) · Political science · Self-image · Empathy and Medical Education · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology