Influence of social interactions, professional supports and fear of death on adults' preferences for life-sustaining treatments and palliative care.

What is already known about this topic? End-of-life (EOL) preferences can be shaped not just by knowledge, values and individuals' attitudes but rather a host of social influences. Few studies with theoretical frameworks or models in the literature are available to provide a comprehensive understanding of factors contributing to responses at the EOL. What this paper adds? The findings advance the knowledge of the influence of social interactions, healthcare services' support, palliative care understanding and fear of death on adults' preferences for life-sustaining treatments and palliative care. The identified relationships in the context of life-sustaining treatments and palliative care provide practical guidelines, which can help to inform appropriate supportive interventions for EOL care planning. The implications of this paper: Healthcare services that provide a mediating structure where a person belongs should focus on enhancing community resources regarding EOL healthcare planning, knowledge about palliative care and reinforcing life and death education. The social support network and emotional ties with a person's significant others should also be taken into consideration to facilitate EOL healthcare planning and to promote good quality of life at EOL.