Why donate stem cells? A pilot validation of new measures for studying antecedents of stem cell donation intention

Social sciences literature on stem cells –– one of the most promising research venues in bio-medical sciences – is fragmented and lacks standard tools. This paper aims at presenting a first pilot validation of some stem cells-relevant social-psychological constructs’ scales and an exploration of variables related bone marrow stem cells and umbilical cord blood stem cells donation intention. Eight scales were created for measuring the following variables: subjective knowledge on stem cells donation; objective knowledge on stem cells donation; attitudes toward stem cells donation; past tissue donation experience; positive incentives toward stem cells donation; negative incentives toward stem cells donation; intention of stem cells donation; importance of stem cells sustainability. A self-report questionnaire including new scales and existing scales from literature (norms, values, emotions) was administrated to 78 Italian subjects. Factorial structures were explored via factorial analyses with Principal Axis Factoring, Oblimin rotation and Cronbach’s alpha tests. Two stepwise regression analyses were conducted to explore which variables are more related to the two kinds of donation intention. Most scales have been found to have a satisfactory factorial structure and internal consistency (α>.60). Both kinds of donation intention have been found to be associated to self-transcendence values and positive emotions; bone marrow stem cells donation intention is also associated to conservation values, subjective knowledge, and past tissue donation experience. Results are discussed according to current literature and suggesting research developments.