The Impact of Self-Reported Healthcare Stereotype Threat on Advance Care Planning Among Older,Sexual Minority Adults: A Black and White Difference

Abstract

Healthcare stereotype threat (HCST), defined as “the threat of being reduced to group stereotypes within healthcare encounters,” may occur when social identities negatively impact healthcare experiences. The aim of this study was to examine the association between advance care planning (ACP) activities and HCST related to sexual orientation and race. Data from an online survey (N = 281) asked Black and White sexual minority (SM) adults ages 50+ about their ACP activities and perceptions of HCST. Higher scores of HCST-sexual orientation were associated with having had ACP discussions and higher scores of HCST-race were associated with having ACP discussions, having completed a living will, and having designated a healthcare proxy. Past experiences of HCST or concerns about experiencing HCST may be a motivating factor for older SM adults to engage in ACP, highlighting how prior and/or current healthcare experiences can potentially impact how SM individuals plan for end-of-life.

Keywords

sexual orientation advance care planning health services

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