The Importance of Reporting Negative Findings

Social support is associated with adherence to medical treatments (Chisholm-Burns, Spivey, & Wilks, 2010). This is the first study to explore social support and adherence 6 weeks post-kidney transplant. Fifty-eight adult deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients participated in the study. Social support was assessed using the Modified Social Support Survey; adherence was defined as the proportion of appointments kept, immunosuppressant blood values, and the Immunotherapy Barrier Scale. Measures were completed at transplant, and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks post-transplant. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models with random effects for person. Variance in participants’ adherence was hypothesized. However, all participants were adherent; no statistically significant relationship between adherence and social support was identified. Immediately following transplant, qualitative or mixed-method approaches may give better insight into facilitators of adherence.