Death attitudes among older Asian and Pacific Islander Americans: The role of religiosity, spirituality, and psychosocial health factors.

ABSTRACT

With the growth of older minorities in the United States, more attention is needed on what the experience of dying means in this population. Previous research has overlooked older Asians and Pacific Islanders. This study examined death attitudes among 69 diverse nursing home residents in Hawai'i. Results from correlational and regression analyses showed religiosity and spirituality had significantly distinct impacts on death attitudes and psychosocial health. Ethnicity and religious/spiritual affiliation had significant effects on study outcomes, even between minority subgroups. These findings highlight the importance of exploring the differential impact of religious/spiritual and cultural factors on death attitudes among older minorities.