This study used meta-analytic procedures to examine sixty-two outcome research investigations of the effects of death education on death anxiety. An overall mean effect size of .287 suggests that participants who completed death education interventions reported higher death anxiety than did members of no-treatment control conditions. Didactic death education interventions were found to produce significantly greater increases in death anxiety than experiential interventions. Contrary to earlier research, death education does not appear to be an effective means of lowering death anxiety. These results provide a basis for practical recommendation in altering and shifting the focus and composition of death education.

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The relation between life stress and immune parameters was investigated for 33 female rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients interviewed during three routine monthly clinic checkups. Life stress from major and minor events, coping efficacy, and self-reported psychological distress were assessed, and immunofluorescence of T-cells and B-cells was performed on the blood drawn during each visit. Small stressful events were positively related to the proportion of circulating B-cells, psychological distress was inversely related to proportion of circulating T-cells, and major life events were associated with lower T-helper/T-suppressor cell ratios.

This study was an examination of the combined ability of perceived work environment, demographic, and work-related variables to predict burnout among 314 nurses at a large metropolitan hospital. The three dimensions of burnout measured were emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. High work pressure and low work involvement and supervisor support predicted emotional exhaustion. Task orientation, work pressure, work involvement, and age predicted both depersonalization and personal accomplishment. Burnout among nurses on each of the three work shifts also was examined. Results are discussed from the perspective of how to decrease or to prevent burnout among nurses.

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