Re-Framing the Gift of Life: An Examination of Altruism, Social Distance, and Material Incentives as Factors in Non-Directed Kidney Donor Motivation Among Nurses

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine motivations for undergoing a living kidney donation among professional helping service workers—specifically, nurses—using a research design reproduced from an earlier investigation evaluating the persuasiveness of the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF) altruistic “gift of life” frame. Because the earlier study revealed limits to altruism and suggested, as a means to enhance the rate of living donations, strategic “re-framings” that address material incentives and donor-recipient relationships, we assessed in this study the motivations of key representatives of the caring professions. An international sample of 60 nursing professionals participated in a survey assessing the relationship between material incentives, social distance, and donor motivation. The results show a significant negative relationship between altruism and donor motivation and strong support for material incentives as a complement to living kidney donation. We consider the values and demands of the nursing profession, including the elevated risk of compassion fatigue, as a potential mitigating factor bearing on the willingness of individuals to give the “gift of life.” It is necessary to supplement this study with additional research by nephrology social workers and allied care professionals to both recognize and address the different factors influencing motivation for living kidney donation.