Framing Effects on End-of-Life Preferences Among Latino Elders

• Published in: Social work in health care Vol. 54; no. 8; pp. 708 - 724
• Main Authors: Vélez Ortiz, Daniel, Martinez, Rubén O., Espino, David V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 14.09.2015; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Choice Behavior; CPR; end-of-life decisions; European Continental Ancestry Group - psychology; European Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Female; Hispanic Americans; Hispanic Americans - psychology; Hispanic Americans - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Latinos; Male; Middle Aged; older adults; Older people; Palliative care; Patient Preference - ethnology; Patient Preference - psychology; Patient Preference - statistics & numerical data; Preferences; prospect theory; resuscitation; Resuscitation Orders - psychology; Terminal Care - psychology; Terminal Care - statistics & numerical data; prospect theory; older adults; resuscitation; Latinos; end-of-life decisions
• ISSN: 0098-1389; 1541-034X
• DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2015.1059398

This study compared how the presentation of end-of-life (EOL) choices influences responses by Latino and White older adults relative to resuscitation preferences. The authors apply prospect theory, which deals with decision making based on how choices are framed. Participants were presented with differently ordered questions framing a resuscitation scenario and asked to rate their preferences. Results show that Latino participants were significantly influenced by the framing order of treatment options with regard to resuscitation while Whites were not. Health professionals need to be aware that the ways they present EOL options are likely to affect the choices of Latino older adults. Further research is needed with Latino subgroups.