Resilience as a Moderator of Extreme Stress Adaptation: Living Kidney Donor Analysis

Abstract Background The aim of the study was to check if a situation of extreme and traumatizing stress, such as living kidney donation, would result in changes in the quality of the donor's life: whether a posttraumatic growth should occur, and if the donor would develop a strategy to handle strong and uncommon stress, known as resilience. Methods The study was conducted on 23 living kidney donors aged 25 to 63, who were examined 3 days before the donation and 6 months after. The study was conducted using the following tools: self-prepared questionnaires for donors before and after donations and validated questionnaires Cognitive Emotion Regulation (PRE), Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-R), and Resilience Scale Inventory (SPP25). Results The results of the study proved that situations of extreme stress resulted in an increase of resilience. It was found that resilience was a moderator in the adaptation to extreme stress. A number of positive changes, known as posttraumatic growth, were noted. The examined patients focused on the adaptive strategies. Conclusion It may be concluded that resilience is responsible for handling situations of extreme stress. Increased ability to mobilize, stronger focus on adaptive strategies, planning, and creating perspectives are observed. An observable increase of openness for new experiences, personal competencies to handle difficulties, tolerating negative emotions, and an optimistic approach to life may be noted.