Community stakeholder and opinion formation toward end-of-life planning in Chinese community in Australia

Abstract

We examine the role of stakeholders in constructing new socio-cultural narratives of advance care planning in the Chinese community in Australia. Applying the communication theory of opinion leader(ship) and drawing on data from 41 interviews and field observation notes, we explore how stakeholders establish their authority and perform their expertise. Data analysis shows stakeholders have gained their opinion leadership status through demonstrating their ability to link the Chinese cultural values of family harmony and parental duty and the notions of self-empowerment and independence in official advance care planning promotions in Australia.