The contribution of chronic illness to acceptance of death in hospitalized patients.

Abstract

This pilot study explored acceptance of death in the chronically ill. It was hypothesized that chronic illness would be a positive predictor of premature acceptance of death. Acceptance of death, if premature, may lead to untimely acquiescence to death, making people less likely to seek medical care and practice preventive health behaviors. A correlational design was used to explore the relationship between chronic illness and acceptance of death, controlling for age. Data were collected on death acceptance using the revised version of the Life Attitude Profile. Number of chronic illnesses was obtained from self-report and a review of the medical record in a sample of 76 hospitalized individuals. The number of chronic illnesses was significantly and positively associated with death acceptance, but age was not. The model explained only 5.2% of the variance in death acceptance, however. Chronic illness is clearly only one of many factors stimulating individuals to ponder death earlier than expected. Nurses need to be alert to the possibility that individuals with multiple chronic illnesses may be prematurely acquiescing to death. If acquiescence causes failure to participate in care, it could potentially exacerbate chronic conditions unnecessarily.