The gift of here and now at the end of life: Mindful living and dignified dying among Asian terminally ill patients

Author:

Choo Ping YingORCID,Tan-Ho Geraldine,Low Xinyi Casuarine,Patinadan Paul Victor,Ho Andy Hau YanORCID

Abstract

Abstract Objectives In Chochinov’s dignity model, living in the here and now (mindful living) is explicitly stated as a dignity-conserving practice. However, what facilitates mindful living remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of mindful living among Asian terminally ill patients. Methods This interpretative phenomenological analysis comprised patients aged 50 and above with a prognosis of less than 12 months. Fifty interview transcripts from a larger Family Dignity Intervention study conducted in Singapore were used for the analysis. Results Findings revealed 12 themes that were organized into 3 axioms of mindful living for dignified dying: (a) purposive self-awareness, (b) family-centered attention, and (c) attitudes of mortality acceptance. Through purposive self-awareness, patients introspected their lived experience with illness and anticipated death to find resilience and contentment. Patients’ conscious family-centered attention revolved around their relationships, achievements, and legacy within the family, leading to a deepened sense of interconnectedness with self and beloved others at life’s end. Lastly, patients adopted nonjudgmental attitudes of mortality acceptance as they made necessary arrangements in preparation for their death, allowing them to treasure every living moment and obtain a closure in life. An empirical model of mindful living for dignified dying was developed based on these emerging themes, illustrating the interweaving of intention, attention, and attitude for facilitating meaningful living in the face of mortality. Significance of results Mindful living is a dignity-preserving practice, which helps terminally ill patients to find tranquility in each present moment despite their impending death. The identified mechanisms of mindful living lay important groundwork for a new understanding and possible directions for culture-specific, mindfulness-based, family-centered interventions suited to terminally ill patients in the Asian context.

Publisher

Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Reference19 articles.

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3