Experiences of Korean adolescent renal transplant recipients.

PURPOSE: To understand the experiences of Korean adolescents who have undergone a renal transplant.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

Nine adolescents aged 12-18 who received a renal transplant participated in this qualitative descriptive study. Using content analysis, we analyzed in-depth interview data from individual adolescents.

RESULTS

The main themes extracted were "being different from others," "not being invited as a decision maker," "becoming one of them," "still being different from others," "having mixed feeling toward mothers," and "coping with new circumstances."

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Interventions designed to improve adolescent renal transplant recipients' sense of autonomy and belongingness are needed.