Advance care directives (ACDs) are underutilized by Black American older adults and by members of many religious communities. Goals of study 1 were to replicate these findings and examine the hypothesis that religious affiliation moderates the influence of racial identity on ACD utilization. The goal of study 2 was to compare and contrast the effects of a culturally-sensitive ACD versus a standard state directive on ACP engagement scores among Black Americans. In study 1, data represented 1281 Black and White Respondents from the Health and Retirement Study. Demographic variables included gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and relationship status. Other variables were cancer diagnosis, and medical comorbidity as defined by the presence of one or more of the following: hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, stroke and arthritis.
The criterion variable was presence of an ACD. In study 2, data represented 189 White and Black Americans recruited from MTurk and Prolific. Demographic and health variables were the same as in study 1 and the criterion variable was score on the Advance Care Planning Engagement Survey. Results of study 1 were older, more educated, non-Hispanic, and those of White race were more likely to have completed an advance care directive. Additionally, race and religious affiliation were independent predictors of ACD completion, and frequency of religious attendance was a significant predictor of ACD completion among Catholic respondents. Results of study 2 were race, religiosity, and group condition (Five Wishes vs. state directive) were not independent predictors of ACP engagement scores, however, physician trust did predict ACP engagement scores and was shown to differentially impact Black Americans in the State Directive condition only.
Outline of Studies
Major: Psychology – Clinical
Educational Career:
B.S, B.A., University of Central Florida, 2008
M.A., M.S., University of Central Florida, 2015, 2019
Committee in Charge
Committee Chair: Daniel Paulson, Ph.D.
Department Committee Member: Jeffrey Bedwell, Ph.D.
Department Committee Member: Valerie Sims, Ph.D.
Outside Committee Member: Tracy Wharton, Ph.D.
Other Committee Member:
Approved for distribution by Daniel Paulson, Committee Chair, on February 15, 2023.
The public is welcome to attend. Please contact rbassett@knights.ucf.edu for the Zoom link.
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