PSYCHODIAGNOSTIC COMPARISON OF HEMODIALYS IS-PATIENTS AND RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

12 male and 8 female patients treated by hemodialysis (mean age: 38.5 years, s = 11.1)and 10 male and 10 female renal transplant recipients (mean age: 35.4 years, s = 9.7) were given 8 psychological tests. The results of both groups were compared with each other and with the resp ective standardizations. Results: In comparison with the respect stand ardizations the transplant recipients obtained average results in 5 to 6 achievement tests, whereas the dialysis patients showed deficiencie s in higher perceptive processes, namely attentiveness, power of conce ntration, speed of performance, reductive thinking, and short-time mem ory. Confronted with problems which must be solved by making use of fo rmerly acquired knowledge, experiences, and skills (crystallized intel ligence), the average results of both groups coincided with the averag e of the respective standardizations. As for their way of acting in fr ustrating situations, the persons of both groups tried to avoid any ag gressive reaction against fellow-men. They tended to self-reproaches, though generally referring to inevitable circumstances. If possible th ey evaded any question of guilt by minimizing the problems. All in all , renal transplantation can effect a substantial improvement in mental ability, especially of fluid intelligence.