Citation

Medvene LJ, Base M, Patrick R, Wescott JV. J. Appl. Soc. Psychol. 2007; 37(10): 2298-2318.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1559-1816.2007.00259.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study assessed the applicability of the transtheoretical model (TTM) to completing/revising advance directives (ADs). Participants in a community-based educational program completed pre- and post-program questionnaires concerning the completing/revising of ADs. Multiple-item scales were constructed to categorize participants into a stage of change: precontemplation (8%), contemplation (44%), preparation (4%), action (22%), and maintenance (19%). A decisional balance scale was constructed using 5 positive and 5 negative perceptions of ADs. The findings provided support for the applicability of the TTM to completing/revising ADs. The cons outweighed the pros among participants in the precontemplation stage, while the pros outweighed the cons among those in the action stage. One pro was that an AD would relieve family members of decision-making burdens.