Abstract

The term Samaritan is used to indicate the choice of a living donor to offer its own organ to save the life of a patient with whom it has no parental or affective relation (article 1, Law of 26 June 1967). It is a gesture of great solidarity, one that promotes life. The purpose of this study has been to analyze a case of potential Samaritan donation.

The investigation consisted of six interviews, on a bi-weekly basis, for a total duration of three months. The clinical interviews allowed us to delve deeper into the motivations for the donation. The following tests were administered: the Rorschach projective test, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory Personality Test (MCMI-III) and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R).

Some issues regarding age, self-confidence, emotional difficulties and maladjustment to social environment emerged. The analysis of the test results confirmed the “negative” indices that led the authors to decide against the psychological-psychiatric suitability for the Samaritan donation.

The Samaritan donation is a rare and precious donation and understanding in depth the motivations behind this choice is extremely important. The choice to donate, even if freely made, must not make one forget their responsibility towards themselves and towards the integrity of their own body.

Keywords: Samaritan donation, psychological evaluation, Rorschach projective test, Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory Personality Test (MCMI-III), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R)