The role of body image integrity and posttraumatic growth in kidney transplantation: A 3-year longitudinal study.

The aim of this study was to explore the role of body image, posttraumatic growth, and emotional state in recovery after transplantation. A total of 53 kidney transplant patients were assessed using our Self-Test and Organ Drawing Test, the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory in a 3-year follow-up. Logistic regression analysis showed that lower levels of integrity of the body image and posttraumatic growth, and higher pre-discharge serum creatinine levels were significant predictors of graft rejection.