Coping with death and awareness of mortality in patients and their relatives

Abstract

The aim of our study was to analyze the attitudes of people – patients and their relatives in proximity of death and dying. End-stage of human life is often associated with changes in the scale of values and needs of the individual. Particular attention was paid to the needs and values that are associated with recognition of limitations concerning to earthly life, but also with the hope of eternal life. Generally, people think that the feelings and coping with death and dying are same in patients and their relatives. The truth is that coping with death and mortality is individual to each person. The problems related to the dying should be coped with by all: dying patients, their relatives and friends. Dying is not letting cold those who are in the presence of dying. In our study we used Acceptation of Dying and Coping with Mortality Questionnaire – 20 Items (ADCMQ20). Research sample consisted of 275 respondents: 95 dying patients and 180 their relatives. All data were processed by SPSS 24 statistical program.