End-of-life communication: ethnic differences between Korean American and non-Hispanic White older adults.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined ethnic differences in end-of-life communication between Korean American and non-Hispanic White older adults using the Health Belief Model as a conceptual framework. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was employed to survey 217 community-dwelling older adults (112 Korean Americans and 105 Non-Hispanic Whites). RESULTS: Half of the participants had never held end-of-life discussions with significant others. Non-Hispanic Whites were more likely to engage in end-of-life communication than Korean Americans, but the ethnicity effect was not evident in a multivariate analysis. Only participants' knowledge, perceived barriers, perceived severity, and experience of illness significantly predicted the likelihood of the end-of-life communication. Higher knowledge, stronger beliefs about the perceived severity and barriers, and greater experience of illness were related to having end-of-life communication. DISCUSSION: Knowledge and health beliefs play an important role in end-of-life communication which differs by ethnicity. Culturally competent health care practitioners need to consider ethnic variation in advance care planning.

Author information

Author/s: Ko, Eunjeong (E); Lee, Jaehoon (J);

Affiliation: San Diego State University School of Social Work, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA. eko(-atsign-)mail.sdsu.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of aging and health (J Aging Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 21 (issue 7) : pp 967-84

Dates: Created 2009/09/23; Completed 2009/10/09;

PMID: 19773596, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/9/2009, IMS Date: )

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