Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Predicting quality of life with a pretransplantation assessment battery: A prospective study of cardiac recipients

  • Published:
Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study provides descriptive data on the prevalence of symptoms and quality of life of cardiac transplantation recipients and tests the predictive validity of a pre-cardiac transplantation psychological assessment battery on posttransplantation quality of life. Following the formation of four cluster groups of pretransplantation MMPI profiles based on previous research, frequency analysis found that the cluster groups were not equally represented among cardiac recipients, such that the “Distressed/Confused” cluster had only one recipient member. Tests of significance among the three remaining cluster groups on the posttransplantation quality of life variables found no significant differences. Regression analyses to test the predictive validity of other pretransplantation medical and psychological variables indicated that trait anxiety was a significant predictor of increased symptom frequency and symptom problems and decreased mental health among recipients. Collectively, modest support was found for the use of pretransplantation psychological variables as predictors of posttransplantation quality of life. Interpretation of psychological test data in the context of other psychosocial variables is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baumann, L. J., Young, C. J., & Egan, J. J. (1992). Living with a heart transplant: Long-term adjustment.Transplant International, 5, 1–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., & Erbaugh, J. (1961). An inventory for measuring depression.Archives of General Psychiatry, 4, 561–571.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brennan, A. F., Davis, M. H., Bucholz, D. J., Kuhn, W. F., & Gray, L. A. (1987). Predictors of quality of life following cardiac transplantation.Psychosomatics, 28, 566–571.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1987). Role of neuroticism in the perception and presentation of chest pain symptoms and coronary artery disease. In J. W. Elias & P. H. Marshall (Eds.),Cardiovascular Disease and Behavior (pp. 39–66). Washington, DC: Hemisphere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale.Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 71–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, A. M., Folks, D. G., Sokol, R. S., & Fahs, J. F. (1988). Cardiac transplantation: Clinical correlates of psychiatric outcome.Psychosomatics, 29(1), 47–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greene, A. F., & Sears, S. F. (1994). Psychometric assessment of cardiac transplantation candidates.Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 1(2), 135–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hathaway, S. R., & McKinley, J. C. (1967).The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory manual. New York: Psychological Corp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hecker, J. E., Norvell, N., & Hills, H. (1989). Psychological assessment of candidates for heart transplantation: Toward a normative data base.Journal of Heart Transplantation, 8, 171–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, E. H. (1990).The Deadly Emotions. New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, B. M., Chang, V. P., Esmore, D., Spratt, P., Shanahan, M. X., Farnsworth, A. E., Keogh, A., & Downs, K. (1988). Psychological adjustment after cardiac transplantation.Medical Journal of Australia, 149, 118–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, B. M., Taylor, F., Downs, K., & Spratt, P. (1992). Longitudinal study of quality of life and psychological adjustment after cardiac transplantation.Medical Journal of Australia, 157(1), 24–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaye, M. P. (1993). The registry of the International Society for Heart Transplantation: Ninth official report-1992.Journal of Heart Transplantation, 14, 599–606.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kilner, R. (1992).Who lives? Who dies? Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kriett, J. M., & Kaye, M. P. (1990). The registry of the International Society for Heart Transplantation: Seventh official report-1990.Journal of Heart Transplantation, 9, 323–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leedham, B., Meyerowitz, B. E., Muirhead, J., & Frist, W. H. (1995). Positive expectations predict health after heart transplantation.Health Psychology, 14(1), 74–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, J. L., & Olbrisch, M. E. (1993). Psychosocial evaluation of organ transplant candidates: A comparative survey of process criteria, and outcomes in heart, liver, and kidney transplantation.Psychosomatics, 34(4), 314–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lough, M. E., Lindsey, A. M., Shinn, J. A., & Stots, N. A. (1987). Impact of symptom frequency and symptom distress on self-reported quality of life in heart transplant recipients.Heart and Lung, 16, 193–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mai, F. M., McKenzie, F. N., & Kostuk, W. J. (1990). Psychosocial adjustment and quality of life following heart transplantation.Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 35, 223–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maricle, R. A., Hosenpud, J. D., Norman, J. D., Woodbury, A., Pantley, G. A., Cobanoglu, A. M., & Starr, A. (1989). Depression in patients being evaluated for heart transplantation.General Hospital Psychiatry, 11, 418–424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maricle, R. A., Hosenpud, J. D., Norman, D. J., Pantley, G. A., Cobanoglu, A. M., & Starr, A. (1991). The lack of predictive value of preoperative psychologic distress for postoperative medical outcome in heart transplant patient.Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 10, 942–947.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nussbaum, P. D., & Goldstein, G. (1992). Neuropsychological sequelae of heart transplantation: A preliminary review.Clinical Psychology Review, 12, 475–484.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Brien, B. J., Banner, N. R., Gibson, S., & Yacoub, M. H. (1988). The Nottingham Health Profiles as a measure of quality of life following combined heart and lung transplantation.Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 42, 232–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Connell, J. B., Gunnar, R. M., Evans, R. E. Fricker, F. J., Hunt, S. A., & Kirklin, J. K. (1993). Task force 1: Organization of heart transplantation in the U.S.Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 22, 1–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (1993). Review of the satisfaction with life scale.Psychological Assessment, 5, 164–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riether, A. M., Smith, S. L., Lewinson, B. J., Cotsonis, G. A., & Epstein, C. M. (1992). Quality of life changes and psychiatric and neurocognitive outcome in heart and liver transplantation.Transplantation, 54, 444–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, M. E., Greene, A. F., & Geisser, M. E. (1993). Specificity of MMPI cluster types to chronic illness.Psychology and Health, 8, 285–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigue, J. R., Greene, A. F., & Boggs, S. (1994). Current status of psychological research in organ transplantation.Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 1, 41–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, J. J., Larsen, J., & Prifitera, A. (1983). Validity of the two- and four-subtest short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in a psychiatric sample.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51, 460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, P. A. (1990). Life after heart transplantation.Progress in Cardiovascular Disease, 32(6), 405–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger, C. D. (1984).The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory: Research edition. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., & Lushene, R. E. (1970).State-Trait Anxiety Inventory manual. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spreen, O., & Strauss, E. (1991).A compendium of neuropsychological tests: Administration, norms, and commentary. New York: Oxford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, A. L., Sherbourne, C. D., Hays, R. D., Wells, K. B., Nelson, E. C., Kamberg, C. J.,et al. (1992). Summary and discussion of MOS measures. In A. L. Stewart, & J. E. Ware (Eds.),Measuring functioning and well-being (pp. 345–372). Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ware, J. E. (1993).SF-36 Health Survey: Manual and interpretation guide. Boston, MA: Nimrod Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (1945). A standardized memory scale for clinical use.Journal of Psychology, 19 87–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wynne, J., & Braunwald, E. (1992). The cardiomyopathies and myocarditides: Toxic, chemical, and physical damage to the heart. In E. Braunwald (Ed.),Heart disease (4th ed., pp. 1392–1450). Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical & Health Psychology, Box 100165 UF Health Science Center, University of Florida, 32610, Gainesville, Florida

    Samuel F. Sears Jr. & James R. Rodrigue

  2. Fielding Institute, Santa Barbara, California

    Anthony F. Greene

  3. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

    Roger M. Mills Jr.

Authors
  1. Samuel F. Sears Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. James R. Rodrigue
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anthony F. Greene
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roger M. Mills Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sears, S.F., Rodrigue, J.R., Greene, A.F. et al. Predicting quality of life with a pretransplantation assessment battery: A prospective study of cardiac recipients. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2, 335–355 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01991681

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01991681

Key words

Search

Navigation