Understanding the Chinese’s intentions to discuss organ donation with their family: Media use, cultural values, and psychological correlates

PURPOSE: Family consent is required for posthumous organ donation to proceed in China. Prior discussion about organ donation with one’s family can help ensure family consent and encourage family members to register as donors. This research aims to understand the factors related to one’s intentions to discuss organ donation with family members. METHOD: An online survey was conducted in China. A total of 352 participants who were not registered organ donors completed survey questions related to their attitudes toward family discussion about organ donation, subjective norms, self-efficacy, intentions, collectivist values, and media use. RESULTS: The Chinese’s value-expressive attitudes (β = 0.28, p < 0.001), self-efficacy (β = 0.52, p < 0.001), and anticipated guilt (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) predicted their intentions to discuss organ donation with their families. The total effects of collectivist values and media use on discussion intentions were 0.50 (p < 0.001) and 0.31 (p < 0.001), respectively, and were mediated by value-expressive attitudes, efficacy, and anticipated guilt. INNOVATION: This research is the first to examine the psychological factors and media use associated with mainland Chinese’s intentions to discuss organ donation with their families. Such a detailed understanding can inform the design of more persuasive public campaigns.