|
KMID : 1039620190090030303
|
|
Korean Journal of Family Practice
2019 Volume.9 No. 3 p.303 ~ p.310
|
|
|
Communication about Death and Confidence Levels concerning Death-Related Issues among Koreans
|
|
Lee Jae-Won
Kim Ji-Won
Kim Tae-Suk
Kim Chul-Min
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
Death, Attitude to Death, Death with Dignity, Communication, Personal Autonomy, Value System, Terminal Care, Advance Care Planning
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
 
|
|