title: Attitudes of elderly Korean patients toward death and dying: an application of Q-methodology.
abstract: The aim of this study was to identify the attitudes of elderly Korean patients toward death and dying using Q-methodology to aid in the development of basic strategies for nursing care of elderly Koreans. Thirty participants at a university hospital sorted 40 selected Q-statements on a nine-point scale. Data analysis identified three types of attitudes toward death and dying in elderly patients in Korea: religion-dependent, science-adherent, and sardonic. Religion-dependent elders are highly dependent upon religion as evidenced by their reply that they would like to rely on God and a minister the most. Science-adherent elders have great affection for life and believe in modern medical advancements. The sardonic elders regard death as the dispensation of nature so there is no need to be afraid of death and dying. This study will contribute to the understanding that nurses and other health professionals have of the perceptions of elderly Koreans about death and dying. Also, the findings may provide the basis for the development of more appropriate strategies to improve death and dying education programs of health professionals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Konkuk University, 322, Danwol-dong, Chungju, Chungbuk, 380-701, Republic of Korea. eunice@kku.ac.kr
authors.forename: Eunja
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yeun
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death / Q000208:ethnology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011779:Q-Sort; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*