Death experiences and hospice: Perceptions of college students

Author(s): Dickinson, G. E.

Journal/Book: Death Stud. 2000; 24: 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bristol, PA 19007-1598, USA. Hemisphere Publ Corp. 335-341.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate college-age students' awareness of and involvement in hospice and to ascertain information regarding their own experiences with death and their preferences about death and dying. Our data were gathered through a mailed survey to 521 biology majors at an undergraduate college in the southeastern United States (122 responded or 23%). The majority of respondents were aware of hospice, yet less than 25% had any involvement with hospice. Over 90% of the respondents had seen a dead body, and one-third had witnessed a death. Statistically, significant differences by gender were found only with awareness of hospice, with women being more knowledgeable. With health professions as she goal for most of these students, a similar study with a cohort of non-college students, or even non-health-profession-bound college students, would serve as an interesting '' control '' group.

Note: Article Dickinson GE, Coll Charleston, Dept Anthropol & Sociol, 66 George St, Charleston,SC 29424 USA

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