Those presenting to donate for the first time are more likely to be deferred than repeat donors, and deferrals have a larger impact on the return behaviour of those deferred at their first attempt than those deferred subsequently. Despite this, little is known about the psychological and social factors underlying the experience of deferral during the first blood donation attempt. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the perceptions and experiences of individuals who are deferred when first attending to donate, providing a better understanding of this phenomenon from a social psychological perspective.

This study aims to investigate the in-center experience of individuals unable to donate blood during their initial blood donation attempt, with a specific focus on understanding their perception of deferral. Additionally, it seeks to explore whether individuals who experienced deferral during their first blood donation attempt have a clear understanding of their deferral status, including the reasons for and consequences of the initial deferral. Lastly, the study aims to examine the self-identification as blood donors among individuals who were unable to donate blood during their first blood donation attempt in order to derive an appropriate term for this group.

We will utilize a qualitative research approach, conducting semi-structured online interviews with individuals who have been deferred during their first blood donation attempt. Data collection will involve diverse national contexts to investigate potential cultural variations, aiming for a sample size ofn=24 participants per nation. The interviews will be transcribed and analyzed using the content analysis method proposed by Kuckratz, enabling the identification of themes and patterns within the collected data.