Personality characteristics in a Swedish national sample of identifiable oocyte donors

Abstract

Objective: To study the personality characteristics of identifiable oocyte donors in a national sample in comparison with normal values.

Design: Descriptive study.

Setting: All Swedish donation programmes.

Sample: In total, 181 women out of 221 donors recruited during 2005-2008.

Methods: Standardised questionnaires were used to measure personality characteristics.

Main outcome measure: Demographics, temperament and character inventory (TCI).

Results: The majority (69%) of the donors had biological children of their own. The results from the TCI indicate that the oocyte donors were all within the normal range of character. With regard to personality, a significant difference was evident between the two groups: oocyte donors showed lower means for harm avoidance and higher scores for persistence than the controls. This indicates that the donors felt less worried, and displayed a lower level of fear of uncertainty, shyness and fatiguability, and a higher level of persistence, than the controls. In the present sample, 29 (16%) of the donors were so-called 'known donors', that is the recipient couples and the donors were known to each other. 'Known donors' displayed a mature and stable character.

Conclusion: We found that the women who had been accepted for inclusion in this nationwide oocyte donor programme were all well adjusted and mature.