*Purpose: Currently, there are approximately 102,000 patients on the waitlist for a renal or liver transplant (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), 2021). In 2021, only 29% of these solid organ transplant candidates were successfully transplanted (OPTN, 2021). As the disparity between the number of patients on the waitlist and total number of transplantable organs available persists, past research has shown a relationship between organ donation knowledge and endorsement of organ donation (Alden & Cheung, 2001; Hinck et al., 2018; Kobus et al., 2016). Few studies have investigated how external circumstances influence willingness to donate. The present study sought to understand situations in which people may choose to become an organ donor. The main research question of the present study was, “What circumstances influence likelihood to donate an organ?”

*Methods: A purposeful sample of (N=57) participants was recruited from a liberal arts college and residents of a city in the Southeastern region of the US. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups (n=13) were conducted with participants, after which they completed a demographic questionnaire. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and uploaded into the mixed-methods software program, MAXQDA for coding.

*Results: Preliminary data from content analyses of the transcriptions revealed the influence of lifestyle choices (61.1%), such as engaging in adventurous recreational activities, substance use, severe crime, or other activities or conditions that could affect a person’s health outcomes, on likelihood to become an organ donor. Trust (41.7%) was indicated as contributing to the decision-making process, with participants reporting concerns about a potential recipient’s misuse of a donated organ. Other factors described as influences of the decision-making process were the age of the recipient (13.9%) and their prognosis (36.1%). Relation to the prospective recipient (77.7%) was also considered in decision-making process, with the closeness of the relationship (31.6%) stated as most likely to impact the decision to donate.

*Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that potential donors consider lifestyle choices, age, and closeness of the relationship to the recipient in the decision to donate an organ. Trust in the recipient to value the donated organ was reported as an important factor. The current study suggests the value of examining situational factors that affect judgments about choosing to become deceased or living donor. The findings from this study are relevant for informing interventions focused on increasing rates of organ donation.

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