[The subjectivity of attitudes toward life support care].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to categorize adult's subjectivity of their attitudes towards life sustaining treatment, and thereby understand the differences among these life sustaining treatment types using Q methodology.


METHODS
Q-methodology, which provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item, was used. Thirty selected Q-statements received from 52 adults were classified into a shape of normal distribution using a 7 point scale. The collected data was analyzed using a QUANL pc program.


RESULTS
Four types of attitudes toward life sustaining treatment were identified. Type I is called one's autonomy type. Type II is called potentiality of resuscitation type. Type III is called DNR (Do not resuscitation) type. Type IV is calledone's effort type.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study indicate that different approaches of life support care programs are recommended based on the four types of life sustaining treatment attitudes among Korean adults.
Choi
Jieun
J
Department of Nursing, Hanyang University, Sungdong-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
Jung
Yun
Y
Kim
Boon-Han
BH
Jeon
Hye-Won
HW
Kim
Yoon-Sook
YS
D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011779:Q-Sort; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology; D028761:Withholding Treatment