Correlates of end-of-life treatment preferences among young adults and older adults.

The purpose of this study was to investigate correlates of end-of-life treatment preferences. Young adults (n = 117) and older adults (n = 305) completed an interview survey. Compared to older adults, young adults endorsed a desire for more medical intervention in end-of-life scenarios. After controlling for age cohort and education, a desire for more medical intervention in end-of-life scenarios was associated with higher religiosity, greater death anxiety, and more positive attitudes toward aging but not with physical or mental health. End-of-life treatment preferences may be more closely related to attitudes, beliefs, and practices than health status.