Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify therapeutic behavior and related conditions of pediatric post renal transplant patients during their adolescence using qualitative research methods. Data collection and analysis were based on the Grounded Theory and its methods. A total of 52 unstructured interviews were conducted with 25 post renal transplant patients (10 females ; 15 males). Subjects, who had renal disease in childhood and received renal transplants, were in good condition at the time of interview. Their average age was 25 years (17-36 years). An average of 12 years (5-23 years) had passed since transplantation. Analyses revealed“transitions in therapeutic behavior”as the core category and“inappropriate regard by others”,“fear of being ruined”and“building and repairing self affirmation”as the subsidiary categories. During adolescence, therapeutic behavior changed from'compliant performance'to'autonomous performance'. This transition was interrelated with“inappropriate regard by others”,“fear of being ruined”,'ability to differentiated the conflict between therapeutic regimen and own wish','enlightenment by parents','consciousness as an adult in society'and“building and repairing self affirmation”.'Experience of a critical situation','learning the consequences of deviant behavior from others','retrospective perception of parents' devotion' and'parents'candid advice'prevented deviations from the therapeutic regimen.'Excessive confidence in own recovery' and'priority given to surroundings'were related to therapeutic regimen deviations.
