Researchers: Dina Van Dijk¹, Tehila Kogut¹

Background: Despite the increase in the number of life-saving organ transplants in recent decades, the proportion of registered donors in Israel is among the lowest in developed countries. In view of this, it is of great importance to examine the motivational factors associated with the decision to sign an organ donation commitment. studying these factors may help to find ways to increase the number of registered organ donors.

Objectives: 1. To examine the relationship between motivations and beliefs that may affect the willingness to sign an organ donation commitment, including religious belief, belief in a just world, fear of death, and regulatory focus.
2. Identify the reasons behind people’s willingness/unwillingness to sign an organ donation commitment.

Method: A survey completed by a representative sample of the Jewish population in Israel. A second study included only unregistered participants from the initial survey. They received different messages that encourage them to become registered organ donors, after which they were asked about their willingness to sign an organ donation commitment.

Findings: Motivations and beliefs were found to be related to organ donation commitment. Religious beliefs and fear of death were negatively linked to organ donation registration. The regulatory focus was related to the reason for registration (rather than to the decision to become an organ donor). In addition, motivational messages significantly increased the willingness to sign an organ donation commitment when they fit individual’s regulatory focus: A message that focused on "Life-saving" increased willingness to become an organ donor among ‘preventors’, while informing people about registered people priority in receiving organs for transplantation; increased willingness to become organ donors among ‘promoters’.

Research end date: 09/2019