A cross-cultural analysis of dignified dying.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the characteristics of dignified dying and other terminology nurses used to describe this phenomenon in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and the United States (US).


METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive survey with a convenience sample of nurses who cared for dying patients in Ethiopia (n=14), India (n=229), Kenya (n=36), and the US (n=281). Data were collected between 2002 and 2004.


METHODS
Nurses were recruited to complete the ICNP Dignified Dying survey, which consists of demographic information, 2 open-ended questions, and 14 questions about characteristics of dignified dying.


RESULTS
The 14 characteristics on the dignified dying scale reliably measured dignified dying, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .91. All characteristics were rated as representative of dignified dying, with content validity scores ranging from .62 to .77. Factor analysis yielded a two-factor solution, which accounted for 53% of the variance.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings of this study contribute to the ongoing development of the International Classification of Nursing Practice (ICNP) regarding the nursing phenomenon of dignified dying. The ICNP a unified nursing language system, is used to promote and facilitate scholarly exchange among nurses across countries.
Doorenbos
Ardith Z
AZ
School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. doorenbo@u.washington.edu
Wilson
Sarah A
SA
Coenen
Amy
A
D000349:Africa; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology*; D001293:Attitude to Death / Q000208:ethnology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D012297:Right to Die; D013727:Terminal Care; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States