Acculturation and attitudes of Latinos toward hospice

Abstract

The relationship between acculturation and attitudes of Latinos toward hospice was examined in a sample of 380 Latinos from southern New Jersey. A survey design, using self-administered questionnaires, including a bi-dimensional acculturation scale, examined attitudes toward hospice. The sample represented a cross-section of socioeconomic groups and various nationalities of Latinos. Findings revealed that education and income were significantly related to attitudes toward hospice but acculturation was not. Findings also revealed that more than one-half of participants were unfamiliar with the word "hospice" prior to the study. Respondents with higher incomes, higher levels of education, and who were older were more familiar and had more positive attitudes. Overall, despite respondents' limited knowledge of hospice, the majority would use it. These findings underscore the need to intensify hospice education in Latino communities taking into account Latinos' socioeconomic status.