2.3. Explain how attitudes of others may impact on individuals’ choices around death and dying

This guide will help you answer 2.3. Explain how attitudes of others may impact on individuals’ choices around death and dying.

The attitudes of people around us can heavily influence the decisions we make, including choices about death and dying. These attitudes can stem from cultural beliefs, personal experiences, religious convictions, or societal norms. When someone is dying or planning for end-of-life care, the opinions, behaviours, and comments of others can either support or hinder their ability to make decisions that align with their own wishes. In this guide, we cover how these attitudes can impact individuals in this situation.

Cultural and Religious Beliefs

Cultural and religious beliefs shape perspectives on death and dying. These beliefs might dictate the type of care that is “appropriate” or the rituals that need to be followed after death.

For instance, in some cultures, there is a strong expectation that family members should take full responsibility for care at the end of life. This can create pressure on an individual to decline professional hospice care, even if that’s what they prefer.

Religious beliefs might also dictate how people view medical interventions. A person may feel torn if their family or close friends see life-sustaining treatments as necessary, even when that individual prefers to refuse such treatments. The influence of others can make them hesitate to exercise their right to decline or accept treatments.

In contrast, if people around the individual respect their spiritual or cultural preferences, they may feel supported to make decisions confidently. Acceptance fosters autonomy.

Family Dynamics and Emotional Pressure

Family opinions can significantly affect decisions about death and dying. This may include where a person wants to die, whether they opt for palliative care, or even their funeral arrangements.

Families often want to “do what’s best” for their loved one. While well-intentioned, this can sometimes override the individual’s personal wishes. For example, a person may prefer to die at home in familiar surroundings, but their family may insist on hospital care, fearing they can’t “cope” with the responsibility. This can leave the person feeling pressured into a decision they didn’t want.

Emotional arguments can also influence choice. Statements like “Don’t give up on us” or “We need you to fight” might lead someone to accept aggressive treatments they do not want, purely out of guilt or desire to spare their loved ones pain.

On the other hand, families who openly discuss wishes and listen without judgement can help the individual make choices that align with their desires. A supportive family dynamic reduces stress and encourages autonomy.

Sense of Duty or Obligation

Some individuals feel a sense of duty to conform to societal or family expectations about death and dying. For example:

• They may consent to organ donation due to family pressure, even if they feel unsure.
• They could choose hospice care earlier than they’re ready to ease the emotional burden on their relatives.
• They might avoid discussing funeral preferences because their family finds it uncomfortable.

This sense of obligation can prevent people from fully considering what they feel is right for themselves. They may worry more about how their choices will affect others rather than focusing on their own needs.

Fears About Being Judged

Judgement from others is a powerful force. In discussions about death and dying, some individuals avoid expressing their preferences entirely because they worry about backlash or misunderstanding.

For example, an individual might want a direct cremation with no religious service. If their family holds strong traditional beliefs about funerals, they may stay silent to avoid upsetting others. Similarly, someone might feel judged for choosing assisted dying in countries where it is legal if others around them are vehemently opposed.

Feeling judged can lead people to experience stress, anxiety, or even shame around their choices. Open-mindedness from friends, family, and caregivers encourages individuals to communicate openly about what’s meaningful to them.

Healthcare Professionals’ Attitudes

The attitudes of healthcare professionals can greatly shape choices, too. Healthcare workers hold a position of influence, and their opinions or suggestions carry weight.

For example:

• A doctor might assume that a young patient wants aggressive treatment and fail to present palliative care as an option.
• A nurse who dismisses alternative spiritual practices as “unimportant” might make a terminal patient feel unheard.

If professionals are dismissive, unsupportive, or biased, individuals might feel restricted in choosing what matters to them. On the contrary, patient-centred approaches build trust and encourage individuals to explore their options without fear of judgement.

Societal Norms Around Death

Society often treats death as a taboo subject. Normalising end-of-life discussions rarely happens in mainstream culture, and this reluctance to openly address death can influence individual choices.

Sometimes, people feel they have to approach death in a particular way. For example, they may think they need to “fight until the end” or avoid planning their funeral to appear hopeful. These societal norms prevent individuals from freely considering less conventional approaches, such as eco-friendly burials or non-religious ceremonies.

Open discussions about death in society would allow individuals to weigh their options without feeling stigmatised.

Overprotective Attitudes

An overprotective attitude from loved ones or caregivers can also limit choices. Many people want to shield their loved one from difficult conversations about mortality. But this censoring can have the opposite effect: it can leave the individual feeling isolated or deprived of agency over their own death.

For example:

• A family member might refuse to let the dying person write their will because they think it’s too painful.
• A caregiver might avoid discussing end-of-life care options because they believe it might cause distress.

Being overprotective robs individuals of the chance to make necessary preparations or share last wishes. Facilitating honest conversations, instead of avoiding them, is hugely beneficial.

Positive Influence from Supportive Attitudes

Not all attitudes negatively impact individuals. When people around the individual adopt supportive, understanding, and non-judgemental attitudes, this can lead to better outcomes.

Supportive individuals:

• Respect the person’s right to make their own choices, even if they disagree.
• Listen actively and avoid giving unsolicited advice.
• Accept the individual’s cultural, spiritual, or medical preferences without imposing their own beliefs.

This positive influence helps the person feel empowered to make decisions that align with their values. It reduces stress and provides clarity.

Final Thoughts

The attitudes of others, whether family, friends, healthcare professionals, or society, have a profound impact on individuals’ choices around death and dying. These attitudes can either support people in making autonomous decisions or pressure them into choices they don’t want.

Understanding this influence helps health and social care workers provide better support. By fostering non-judgemental, open conversations and respecting diverse perspectives, we allow individuals to approach death in the way they feel is best for them.

Encouraging empathetic attitudes from everyone involved ensures dignity and respect in end-of-life care.