Who signs an organ transplant donor card? A study of personality and individual differences in a sample of Israeli university students

The present study investigated whether certain personality variables (fear of death, body image and authoritarianism) differentiate potential organ transplant donors from non-donors. Two hundred and twenty Israeli students participated in the study. Results showed a significant correlation between being an organ donor cardholder (hereinafter: “donor”) and having acquaintance with other donors and possessing more information on organ donation. Donors were found to have more positive general attitudes regarding organ donation and more positive specific attitudes towards personal willingness to donate organs. Controlling for gender differences, donors were found to report significantly less conscious fear of death, less authoritarianism and better body image perception than non-donors do. The present study emphasizes the importance of personality differences in willingness to donate one’s organs, with suggested implications for intervention programs.