Factors Influencing Attitude Toward Advance Directive in Nursing Students

Kim, Hee Jung

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify nursing students' knowledge and attitude toward advance directives and factors influencing the attitude.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey design was used and 196 nursing students participated in the study. Data were collected from July 1 to August 30, 2018 using a structured questionnaire which included biomedical ethics, awareness of good death, knowledge and attitude toward advance directives. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0 program with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression.
RESULTS
The mean score of biomedical ethics, awareness of good death, knowledge and attitude toward advance directives were 2.88±0.59, 3.18±0.48, 7.68±31.32, 31.00±3.09. Factors influencing the attitude toward advance directives were awareness of good death (Î²=.28, p<.001), intention of writing their advance directives (Î²=.19, p=.006), the knowledge related to advance directives (Î²=.15, p=.029). A total of 14% of attitude toward advance directives was explained by awareness of good death, the knowledge related to advance directives, and ntention of writing their advance directives.
CONCLUSION
The findings of the study indicate that it is necessary to provide a systemic education program regarding advance directives for nursing students in order to provide knowledge related to advance directives and to help them establish positive attitudes toward advance directives.