Attitudes of the critically ill toward prolonging life: The role of social support

Author(s): Danis, M., Bratton, K. A., Sudha, S., Hanson, L.

Journal/Book: Gerontologist. 1997; 37: 1275 K Street NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005-4006. Gerontological Society Amer. 192-199.

Abstract: Desires to prolong life were investigated in a hospitalized sample of 212 persons over age 50 whose illnesses were severe and who had an average life expectancy of six to twelve months. The importance of social support was emphasized in defining the context in which the stressors of unfinished business and fear of death prompted desires to prolong life. Interactions existed in predicting desires for prolonging life based on ethnicity and whether respondents did or did not have sustained family contact. Family contact and salience increased the desire to live longer for African Americans, but not for Whites.

Note: Article Mutran EJ, Univ N Carolina, Carolina Hlth & Transit Study, Dept Hlth Behav & Hlth Educ, CB 7400, Chapel Hill,NC 27599 USA

Keyword(s): ethnicity; family; death and dying; DEATH ANXIETY; FAMILY SUPPORT; MARITAL-STATUS; PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS; SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS; HEALTH; DISEASE; STRESS; CARE; MORTALITY

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