Abstract

A survey was conducted to examine death anxiety and preferences regarding end-of-life care among adults aged 40 years or older. A total of 352 subjects were recruited from two areas in South Korea by trained research assistants, who used structured questionnaires consisting of demographic characteristics, Templer's Death Anxiety scale, and the Korean version of the Preference of Care at the End of Life. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a t-test, an ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Subjects reported a moderate level of death anxiety. Furthermore, while a gender effect was detected, an age effect was not. There was a low preference for life-sustaining treatment with no significant differences among the various demographic groups including age. This study suggests that in order to promote clients' self-determination and end-stage quality of life, health care providers need to be aware of clients' attitudes toward death and their preferences regarding end-of-life care.

Keywords

• death anxiety;
• end-of-life care;
• adults

• 죽음불안;
• 임종기 치료;
• 성인;