THE ROLE OF HEALTH CARE STEREOTYPE THREAT IN END-OF-LIFE PLANNING AMONG OLDER SEXUAL MINORITY ADULTS
2024

Healthcare Stereotype Threat and End-of-Life Planning in Older Sexual Minority Adults

Sample size: 281 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Meki Singleton

Primary Institution: Rutgers University, East Orange, New Jersey, United States

Hypothesis

How does healthcare stereotype threat affect end-of-life care planning among older sexual minority adults?

Conclusion

Healthcare stereotype threat may reduce comfort in medical decision-making but could also encourage older sexual minority adults to engage in advance care planning.

Supporting Evidence

  • Those with higher levels of HCST related to sexual orientation had 13% lower odds of being very comfortable with medical decision-making.
  • Higher rates of HCST related to race were associated with 8% lower odds of being very comfortable with medical decision-making.
  • Participants with higher HCST related to race had 10% higher odds of having designated a healthcare proxy.

Takeaway

When older LGBTQ+ people feel judged by their healthcare providers, they might find it harder to make medical decisions, but it can also push them to plan for their future healthcare needs.

Methodology

An online survey was conducted to collect data on advance care planning activities and perceptions of healthcare stereotype threat among older sexual minority adults.

Potential Biases

Potential biases in self-reported data and the online survey method.

Limitations

The study may not capture all factors influencing advance care planning among older sexual minority adults.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 133 Black and 148 White sexual minority adults.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0754

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