Exploring Death Anxiety among Elderly People: A Literature Review and Empirical Investigation

Abstract

Given the growing number of elderly persons in society and concerns about their health and well-being, the aim was to review the available literature on their death anxiety, and to explore features of this experience among a small sample of older men and women in care facilities. In both the review and empirical parts of this study, components and correlates of death anxiety were investigated. The review revealed limited research focus on death anxiety among the elderly, particularly among those in institutions, but suggested both components and correlates for inclusion in our empirical study. Results showed that, among our elderly participants in an assisted living facility (N = 49; age range: 60-96 years), there were higher levels of fear for others and of the dying process than for fear of the unknown. Notably, among the correlates identified, fear for significant others was associated with poor physical health; fear of the dying process was related to low self-esteem, little purpose in life, and poor mental well-being. Gender differences in death anxiety were found: women showed greater fear for the death of loved ones and for the consequences of their own death on these loved ones, than did men. These patterns are discussed in the light of concerns about the welfare of elderly persons; scientific implications are also considered.

Death Anxiety, Reliability, Validity, and Factorial Structure of the Farsi Form of the Arabic Scale of Death Anxiety in Iranian Old-Aged Persons

“…Abdel-Khalek et al found that, on the ASDA, Egyptian, Kuwaiti, Lebanese, Syrian, Spanish, and American women (no English women) had significant higher mean scores than men [29]. Missler et al reported that women compared to men had more fear of the death of loved ones and of the consequences of their own death on these loved ones [16]. Singh reported that women as compared with men had more death anxiety [33].…”

“…Missler et al revealed that Dutch elderly people who were in an assisted living facility had higher levels of fear for others and of the dying process than of fear of the unknown. The fear for important others correlated with poor somatic health; and fear of the dying process correlated with low self-esteem, small goal in life, and poor mental well-being [16]. For most of old-aged individuals who encounter death of their spouses, death anxiety increases in them.…”

The preliminary effects of laughter therapy on loneliness and death anxiety among older adults living in nursing homes: A nonrandomised pilot study

“…Another study found that education about death reduces fear of death in old age (Hayslip, Galt, & Pinder, ). However, very few intervention studies have been conducted on reducing anxiety about death and loneliness in older adults (Luanaigh & Lawlor, ; Missler et al., ; White, Gilner, Handal, & Napoli, ). Therefore, research on new interventions aimed at reducing anxiety regarding death and loneliness are necessary.…”

The association between death anxiety with spiritual experiences and life satisfaction in elderly people

“…Death anxiety is one of most important issues among this aging population since they experience the inevitability of death approaching of and it is also important for them to achieve a sense of integrity versus despair (1, 2). Due to the invariable nature of this stressful factor, elderly people are more likely to try to emotionally avoid this situation or to use philosophical or spiritual beliefs to help them to cope with these uncontrollable situations (3).…”