Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between dispositional optimism, affects and personality traits in patients with Chronic Renal Disease who are waiting for a renal transplant (Pre-Transplant Group) and in patients who have already undergone the procedure (Post-Transplant Group). The specifics aims were to evaluate differences in construct scores between the groups, differences in performance on the optimism test and the affect scale associated with the waiting time in list, and differences in performance on the optimism test and the affect scale associated with the time of transplantation. Thirty people participated in the survey (fifteen in each group) and four instruments were used for data collection: sociodemographic questionnaire, Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI-R), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The results indicated greater optimism among the participants in the pre-transplant group (Md = 29, IQR = 2) compared to those in the post-transplant group (Md = 26, IQR = 1). In the pre-transplant group, dispositional optimism was not significantly associated with any personality factor, which may indicate that optimism in this group is focused on a target objective rather than to general expectations that good things happen. Optimism overlaps with the general characteristics of the subject and is evidenced as a personality protection factor, or as a mechanism of adjustment to the critical condition of hemodialysis. The waiting list time, as well as the time of transplantation, did not show a significant association with the other variables.
Keywords:
Dispositional Optimism; Affects; Personality; Chronic Kidney Disease