Memento Mori? Differences in translating perceived engagement into end-of-life preparatory activities in Gerny and South Korea

Yaeji Kim-Knauss, Yumi Shin, Jung-Hwa Ha and Frieder R Lang

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2025, vol. 80, issue 10, gbaf116.

Abstract: ObjectivesThis study examines whether perceived engagement in end-of-life planning translates into culturally specific patterns of forl (e.g., having a living will) and inforl (e.g., discussing one’s own death with relatives) preparatory activities by comparing older adults in Gerny and South Korea, two countries with distinct cultural and legislative contexts.MethodsData were drawn from two sources: an online survey from the “Ageing as Future†project conducted in 2023 with Gern participants (aged 60+; n = 708), and an in-person tablet-assisted survey conducted in 2023/24 with Korean participants (aged 60+; n = 519). Two logistic regression models were applied to examine the interaction between perceived engagement in end-of-life planning and culture, focusing separately on forl and inforl preparatory activities. Additional logistic regression models, tching Gern and Korean participants on key covariates, were conducted to test the robustness of the findings.ResultsThe results showed that Korean older adults were significantly less likely to engage in both forl and inforl preparatory activities compared to Gern older adults. However, among those who perceived themselves as preparing for the end of life, the likelihood of discussing one’s own death with relatives was higher among South Korean older adults than their Gern counterparts.DiscussionOur findings indicate that perceived engagement in end-of-life planning translates into more inforl activities among Korean older adults, while it promotes both forl and inforl activities among Gern older adults. These differences y reflect varying political, legal, emotional, and cultural attitudes toward death and dying in each culture.

Keywords: living wills; advance directives; death talk; end-of-life preparation; end-of-life care (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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