A confirmatory analysis of the organ donation readiness index: Measuring the potential for organ donations among African Americans

The need for transplant exceeds the number of available organs. Antigen compatible organs are particularly scarce for African Americans because of their proportionately lower rate of donations. This study presents a measure of organ donation readiness. Examination of the factor structure and a test of weak invariance were conducted on cross-sectional (n = 2,662) and longitudinal data (n = 1,316) in a community-based sample of African Americans. A second-order structural equation was used to model the relationship between three latent factors. The results corroborate earlier research and confirm a second-order model structure consisting of 3 factors (Fear, Knowledge, and Action) in a set of 9 self-report items. The second-order model specification provided a good fit to the data. Social workers involved in organ procurement efforts and counseling of family members may find the instrument a useful tool for identifying readiness for organ donation among African Americans.