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Abstract
This study, using interpretive phenomenological analysis, explored the self-identity of Black adults who underwent a hematopoietic stem cell transplant as a curative treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD). This study explores an area of study that has a gap in the literature for identifying the various psychosocial implications and self-identity factors that impact the experience of Black adults who undergo stem cell transplant. Illness identity, which overlays the context from which Black adults’ self-identity is impacted by living with a chronic illness. A critical race theory lens critically examines the role of healthcare systems on the medical experiences of Black adults and their self-identity. Five areas highlight the impact of stem cell transplant on Black adults’ self-identity: 1) impact of SCD on identity, 2) navigating medical trauma, 3) adjustment in the first year after transplant, 4) navigating survivorship, and 5) self-identity after transplant. This study's themes and implications for psychologists working with or interfacing with the medical system, as well as those with a history of sickle cell disease, are discussed.