Giving and Solidarity in Blood Donation: An Experimental Study in Welfare Sociology

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K13700
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 08010:Sociology-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University (2021-2023); Fukuoka Prefectural University (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Yoshitake Yui 熊本大学, 大学院人文社会科学研究部(文), 准教授 (70758276)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 献血 / 贈与 / 匿名 / ボランティア / 福祉

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Through empirical research analyzing blood donation, it was found that people are more likely to donate blood when they have a family member or friend who has been helped by a blood transfusion, or when they have a family member or friend who is a blood donor, has volunteered, or is a medical professional. Furthermore, analysis from the perspective of reciprocity showed that there was a misconception that blood was used to treat accidents and injuries. In addition, while there is no interaction between the blood donor and the recipient in blood donation, there is interaction between the blood donor and the staff of the blood donation center. Communication by the blood donation center staff encouraged blood donations.

Free Research Field

福祉社会学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年日本では献血者数が大きく減少し、将来的には必要な量の血液が集まらないことも危惧されている。しかしながら、血液をめぐる社会学的研究は少なく、数少ない研究も肝炎やHIVの蔓延を背景に血液の安全性に着目してきた。本研究において献血者の動機や規定要因の分析を行い、その実態を明らかにしたことは、今後の献血者の増大に向けて重要であると考えられる。加えて、学術的な観点からは、本研究において献血を事例としながら、匿名他者への贈与や連帯形成の要件を提示したことに意義があると考えられる。