The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 45 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Dignity in the terminally ill: a developing empirical model
Abstract
Despite use of the term dignity in arguments for and against a patient's self-governance in matters pertaining to death, there is little empirical research on how this term has been used by patients who are nearing death. The objective of this study was to determine how dying patients understand and define the term dignity, in order to develop a model of dignity in the terminally ill. A semi-structured interview was designed to explore how patients cope with their advanced cancer and to detail their perceptions of dignity. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. A consecutive sample of 50 consenting patients with advanced terminal cancer were recruited over a 15-month period of time from an urban extended care hospital housing a specialized unit for palliative care. This unit provides both inpatient services. and coordinates end-of-life care community based programming. Data were analysed using latent content analysis and constant comparison techniques. Four members of the research team independently coded the transcribed data, to develop conceptually meaningful categories of responses. Operational definitions were written for major categories, themes and sub-themes. Three major categories emerged from the qualitative analysis, including illness-related concerns; dignity conserving repertoire; and social dignity inventory. These broad categories and their carefully defined themes and sub-themes form the foundation for an emerging model of dignity amongst the dying. The concept of dignity and the dignity model offer a way of understanding how patients face advancing terminal illness. This will serve to promote dignity and the quality of life of patients nearing death.
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“Dignity therapy is based on a theoretical model of dignity in the terminally ill [3] and its purpose is to reduce dignity-related distress while enhancing hope and meaning [4].”
From Feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of dignity therapy for family carers of people with motor neurone disease (2014) · cites this paper as [3]
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de Voogd, X., Willems, D. L., Torensma, M., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D., & Suurmond, J. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.13719133
Buonaccorso, L., Panfilis, L. D., Chochinov, H. M., Martucci, G., Massari, M., Cocchi, M., Bassi, M. C., & Tanzi, S. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.24709095
Self-citationCai, S., Guo, Q., Lin, J., Deng, C., Li, H., & Zhou, X. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26602111
Buonaccorso, L., Panfilis, L. D., Chochinov, H. M., Martucci, G., Massari, M., Cocchi, M., Bassi, M. C., & Tanzi, S. (2023) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.24709012
Self-citationThe best place to die: A reflection on dignity and context
Paiva, B. S. R., Valentino, T. C. D. O., Chochinov, H. M., & Paiva, C. E. (2025) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951525101338
“Within this context, Chochinov’s model of dignity in the terminally ill (Chochinov et al. 2002) becomes especially relevant, emphasizing that dignity is not solely an internal experience but one that is co-constructed through relationships with others.”
Self-citationChiu, T.-Y., Lai, W., Fan, S., Fang, S., & Liu, Y.-H. (2026) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2026.103113
Les enjeux spirituels en soins palliatifs
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Self-citationYan, W., Frey, R., Raphael, D. L., & Gott, M. (2026) · Palliative Medicine · doi:10.1177/02692163261441427
“29,30,38,41 Similarly, the ability to sustain independence, even in the context of declining physical capacity, was described as central to dignity.”
Who is the person in person-centered care? Reflections from palliative care
Paiva, B. S. R., & Breitbart, W. S. (2026) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951526102314
“Dignity is sustained not only through clinical interventions, but through relational and existential recognition of the person (Chochinov et al. 2002).”
InfluentialMeaning-making processes among older adults with life-limiting conditions: an integrative review
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Ethical challenges of symptom management in palliative care: a critical reflection
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Desafíos éticos del control sintomático en cuidados paliativos: reflexión crítica
Gonçalves, F., Gaudêncio, M., Rocha, A. M. N., Paiva, I., Rêgo, F. M. P. D. S., & Nunes, R. (2026) · Revista Bioética · doi:10.1590/1983-803420263974es
Desafios éticos do controle sintomático em cuidados paliativos: reflexão crítica
Gonçalves, F., Gaudêncio, M., Rocha, A. M. N., Paiva, I., Rêgo, F. M. P. D. S., & Nunes, R. (2026) · Revista Bioética · doi:10.1590/1983-803420263974pt
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Pestian, T., Ellakula, J. C., Awtrey, E. C., Carle, A. C., Winick, N., Kanov, J. M., & Thienprayoon, R. (2026) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106948
“34 Research regarding dignity in the workplace remains nascent, but key dimensions of workplace dignity include safe and healthy working Open access conditions, providing just for work and providing secure terms of employment.”
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“Chochinov [9] found a similar grouping in their study on dignity therapy with dying patients, where there was a connection found between family relationships, living everyday life and how this resulted in providing meaning in one’s life.”
Schrage, T., Görlach, M. G., Betz, C. S., Bokemeyer, C., Kröger, N., Mueller, V., Krüll, A., Schulz, H., & Bleich, C. (2026) · Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes · doi:10.1186/s41687-026-01198-8
“The authors conclude three categories of which one includes associations with the existing physical illness, a second category includes associations to socially mediated factors, and a third associates to psychological concerns like autonomy and continuity of self [30, 31].”
Hua, P. L., & Thư, N. T. A. (2026) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951526103563
“Familymembersreportedgreater emotionalpeaceandspiritualcomfort,consistentwithevidence thatspiritualcaresupportsdignity,emotionalwell-being,andpsy-chologicaladaptationinadvancedillness(Chochinovetal.2002; Bostonetal.2011;Puchalskietal.2014).”
From voices to dignity: Empirical foundations of the DiRePal model in persons with advanced cancer
Abejas, A. G., Santos, D. G., Mota‐Filipe, H., Costa, F. L., & Botejara, A. C. (2026) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951526104076
“Clinically,listeningwarrantsrecog-nitionasatherapeuticactwithitsownvalue,embeddedintrain-ingratherthantreatedasacourtesycontingentonsparetime (Chochinovetal.2002;Leget2013).”
InfluentialHudson, B. F., Shulman, C. E., Kupeli, N., Crooks, J., Flemming, K., Zeigler, L., Mitchell, S., & Dorney-Smith, S. (2026) · NIHR Open Research · doi:10.3310/nihropenres.14021.1
Zelentsova, S., & Sydorenko, S. (2026) · ГРААЛЬ НАУКИ · doi:10.36074/grail-of-science.16.10.2026.025
“Ф І Л О С О Ф І Я , Е Т И К А Т А Р Е Л І Г І Й Н І С Т У Д ІЇ empirical dignity model encompassing illness-related concerns, a dignity-conserving repertoire, and a social dignity inventory [3].”
Schiffer, A. A., & Saucier, D. A. (2026) · Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1521/jscp.2026.45.5.457
Waite, T., Downie, J., Lebacqz, K. A., Chochinov, H. M., Thompson, G. N., Blakeney, A., Beresford, E., Christie, I., & Stuewe, D. (2013) · DalSpace (Dalhousie University)
Self-citation
Metadata
- Authors
- Chochinov, H. M., Hack, T., McClement, S., Kristjanson, L., & Harlos, M.
- Affiliations
- CancerCare Manitoba (CA)
- University of Manitoba (CA)
- Edith Cowan University (AU)
- St. Boniface Hospital (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Chochinov, Harvey Max
- Venue
- Social Science & Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2002-02
- Volume
- 54
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 433-443
- ISSN
- 0277-9536 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2015893364
- Cited by
- 733
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 34 · 2025: 37 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 35 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 39 · 2012: 30
- FWCI
- 19.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Social Science & Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Online (Edith Cowan University) (submittedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- eSpace (Curtin University) (submittedVersion)
- DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
- Swinburne figshare (Swinburne University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Manitoba
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Issues, ethics and legal aspects › Patient Dignity and Privacy
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
- Keywords
- human dignity, dying patients, advanced cancer, end-of-life care, palliative care, patient perspectives, coping with terminal illness, social dignity, quality of life
- MeSH terms
- Activities of Daily Living, Adaptation, Psychological, Anecdotes as Topic, Attitude to Death, Family Relations, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Manitoba, Neoplasms, Professional-Patient Relations, Quality of Life, Right to Die, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Terminal Care, Cost of Illness, Terminally Ill
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