Communication about Death and Confidence Levels concerning Death-Related Issues among Koreans
Korean Journal of Family Practice
; (6): 303-310, 2019.
Article
in Ko
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-787464
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the current status of communication about death and confidence levels concerning death-related issues among Korean adults.METHODS: A survey was conducted to ascertain the frequency of death related communication, factors promoting and impeding such communication, and confidence levels concerning death-related issues. Data of 112 participants who completed the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a chi square test, and multiple logistic regression.RESULTS: More than half of the participants (52.7%–84.0%) appeared to have infrequent (never/at least one) conversations about death or death-related issues. Owing to socio-cultural aspects, death-related communication was considered a taboo or an unpleasant topic of conversation. Additionally, indifference toward death inhibited people from communicating; however, personal experiences of death or morbidity and favorable social contexts promoted communication. Overall, the confidence levels concerning death-related issues was low. Only 17.9%–32.2% of the participants were confident/very confident about their preferences concerning death-related issues. The more people talked about death, the more likely they were to develop a confident attitude toward death-related issues (odds ratio, 3.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.37–8.69).CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that communication about death is being withheld among Koreans, and this could possibly lower their level of confidence regarding death-related issues. To achieve death with dignity, a ‘death culture’ needs to be promoted alongside legislation and infrastructure.
Key words
Full text:
1
Index:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Taboo
/
Terminal Care
/
Right to Die
/
Attitude to Death
/
Logistic Models
/
Personal Autonomy
/
Advance Care Planning
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Language:
Ko
Journal:
Korean Journal of Family Practice
Year:
2019
Type:
Article