People in One Body": Qualitative Study on the Family Perceptions of Recipients with a Family Member as Their Donor Using a Projective Method

Abstract

The aim was to examine the family perceptions of recipients with a family member as their donor using a projective method. In this qualitative study, an arts-based narrative method was employed. The study was completed with 16 recipients through the drawing test, observation, and interviews. The recorded data for each participant were analysed projectively by creating a coding list related to family perception. Each participant's drawings were analysed in alignment with data obtained from other data collection tools and the categories were identified. And then categories were evaluated thematically, main themes identified. There were numerous inconsistencies between the recipients' consciously expressed statements and their unconscious projections. The significant changes in the life of another family member after organ transplantation have placed a dual responsibility on the recipient, both for their own life and for the donor's sacrifice, alongside feelings of gratitude. Another finding is the sorrow of lost time within family roles due to illness and its associated treatment processes. Organ transplant recipients tend to view themselves as different from others in society, experience guilt, and engage in self-directed negative attributions. The findings provide transplant and mental health nurses with a new perspective on assessing the psychosocial difficulties of transplant recipients and understanding family dynamics.