Introduction: Social support is one of the most important indices affecting adaptation to aging process as well as the problems and complications of the aging period such as anxiety, death and social support. This study was aimed to determine the correlation of social support with death anxiety among the elderly of Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this correlational study, 208 elderly referring to the daycare centers of Tehran were selected through cluster random sampling. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire, Vaux Social Support Appraisals Scale (SS-A) and Templer death anxiety scale. Both social support and death anxiety scales have been validated in Iran and enjoy the required reliability. Results: From among the participant elderly, 5.3 % were male and 67 % were single, with their mean age of 66.6 years. Also, 60.1 % were under diploma in terms of education and 64.9 % lived in their personal houses with their families. The results showed the mean social support of 24.94 and mean death anxiety of 24.43 for the elderly. Further, the Pearson correlation coefficient indicated a reverse correlation between social support and death anxiety (r = -0.020). Conclusion: Death anxiety was reduced with increased social support among the elderly. Social support, a component affecting the mental health and spirit of the elderly, can be considered a cheap source and a social capital in line with decreasing death anxiety, increasing dynamicity and improving the life quality of the elderly.

Introduction: Life expectancy is one of the indices used to analyze health status. This index changes during aging as a result of a variety of incidents, diseases, stress, and anxiety. Death anxiety is one of the problems that can turn into a deadly fear. This study was aimed to determine the association between life expectancy and death anxiety among older adults in Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this correlational descriptive study, 208 older adults aged ≥60 years, who had referred to adult daycare centers in Tehran, were chosen by cluster random sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, Temper's death anxiety scale and Snyder's life expectancy scale. Data analysis was completed through SPSS ver. 22. Results: The mean age of the older adults was 66.60 (6.58) years. The results showed a mean death anxiety of 12.21 mean life expectancy of 24.94. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation coefficient indicated a negative correlation between death anxiety and life expectancy. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that the major predictor of life expectancy decline were death anxiety, age, and residential status. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the results that the negative correlation between death anxiety and life expectancy requires teaching coping methods for anxiety and using appropriate methods to improve life expectancy among older adults.