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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDBMC palliative care

Psychological profiles of readiness for advance care planning in super-aged Japan.

  • Eiichiro Watamura1
  • Tomohiro Ioku2
  • Tomoya Mukai3
  • Yuma Matsuki4
  • Yuki Yuyama5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Graduate School of Human Sciences, The University of Osaka, 1-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. [email protected].
  2. 2Graduate School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
  3. 3Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Culture and Sciences, Fukuyama University, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan.
  4. 4College of Humanities, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan.
  5. 5Graduate School of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
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Abstract

Background

Advance care planning (ACP) helps ensure that future medical care reflects individuals' values and preferences. However, little is known about how multiple psychological characteristics combine to shape readiness for ACP, particularly in Japan. This study aimed to identify psychological profiles of readiness for ACP among Japanese adults and to examine age-related differences in profile membership.Methods

A nationwide cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Japanese adults. After excluding inattentive respondents, data from 2,152 participants were analyzed. Six psychological constructs related to ACP readiness were assessed, and latent profile analysis was conducted to identify distinct psychological profiles. Age-related differences in profile membership were subsequently examined.Results

Four psychological profiles were identified: Interested but procedurally hindered (n = 1,346), Highly engaged in planning (n = 401), Overconfident and procedurally avoidant (n = 364), and Uninterested and unprepared (n = 41). The profiles differed significantly across all psychological variables. Older adults were more likely to belong to the Highly engaged in planning profile. In contrast, younger and middle-aged adults were more frequently classified into the Overconfident and procedurally avoidant and Uninterested and unprepared profiles.Conclusions

Readiness for ACP comprises distinct psychological profiles rather than a single continuum of engagement. A person-centered perspective may provide a more comprehensive understanding of readiness and support the development of communication strategies tailored to individuals' psychological characteristics.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{watamura2026psychological,
  title = {{Psychological profiles of readiness for advance care planning in super-aged Japan.}},
  author = {Eiichiro Watamura and Tomohiro Ioku and Tomoya Mukai and Yuma Matsuki and Yuki Yuyama},
  journal = {BMC palliative care},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s12904-026-02264-0},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009895},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Psychological profiles of readiness for advance care planning in super-aged Japan.
AU  - Eiichiro Watamura
AU  - Tomohiro Ioku
AU  - Tomoya Mukai
AU  - Yuma Matsuki
AU  - Yuki Yuyama
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/14
JO  - BMC palliative care
DO  - 10.1186/s12904-026-02264-0
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009895
AB  - Background  Advance care planning (ACP) helps ensure that future medical care reflects individuals' values and preferences. However, little is known about how multiple psychological characteristics combine to shape readiness for ACP, particularly in Japan. This study aimed to identify psychological profiles of readiness for ACP among Japanese adults and to examine age-related differences in profile membership.Methods  A nationwide cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Japanese adults. After excluding inattentive respondents, data from 2,152 participants were analyzed. Six psychological constructs related to ACP readiness were assessed, and latent profile analysis was conducted to identify distinct psychological profiles. Age-related differences in profile membership were subsequently examined.Results  Four psychological profiles were identified: Interested but procedurally hindered (n = 1,346), Highly engaged in planning (n = 401), Overconfident and procedurally avoidant (n = 364), and Uninterested and unprepared (n = 41). The profiles differed significantly across all psychological variables. Older adults were more likely to belong to the Highly engaged in planning profile. In contrast, younger and middle-aged adults were more frequently classified into the Overconfident and procedurally avoidant and Uninterested and unprepared profiles.Conclusions  Readiness for ACP comprises distinct psychological profiles rather than a single continuum of engagement. A person-centered perspective may provide a more comprehensive understanding of readiness and support the development of communication strategies tailored to individuals' psychological characteristics.
SN  - 1472-684X
ER  -