Comparison of the meaning of death for persons with cancer and persons with AIDS at the end of life

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the perceptions of the meaning of death to persons diagnosed with terminal cancer and persons diagnosed with end-stage AIDS. The conceptual orientation for this study was Jean Watson's theory of human care, particularly the holistic individual. This study used a descriptive design for secondary analysis of interview responses from an original study. The analysis explored the personal meaning of death to persons with cancer and persons with AIDS in the last six months of life. Content analysis was the method of data analysis used to address the research questions. Identified categories representing meaning of death to persons with cancer were: Acceptance, Release, Reluctance, and Spiritual Awareness. Categories representing meaning of death for persons with AIDS were: Uncertainty, Acceptance, Anticipatory Loss, Fear, Benefits, and Spiritual Awareness. Comparison revealed the two subsamples shared the categories of Acceptance and Spiritual Awareness.