Fear of Death in Older Adults: Predictions From Terror Management Theory

Cicirelli, Victor G.

doi:10.1093/geronb/57.4.p358

Cited by 134 publications

(123 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…People may not be consciously aware of their fear and anxiety of death until they are confronted with the prospect of their own mortality. Thus, it may be easier for a person to report less death fear when one is relatively healthy (Cicirelli, 2002). This points to another reason for future research to make efforts in sampling older adults that reside in nursing home or hospice programs.…”

Section: Study Limitations and Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship Between Ego Integrity and Death Attitudes in Older Adults

Parker¹

2013

AJAP

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This study investigates how one's ability to accept the past contributes to death attitudes within the elderly population. 115 individuals (47 men and 68 women) participated by filling out self-report questionnaire packets collected from a variety of residential settings. The Death Attitudes Profile -Revised (DAP-R) was used to assess the individuals attitude towards death and the Ability to Accept the Past scale (ACPAST) was used as a measure of ego integrity. A linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictive relationship between the two variables. The results indicate that scores on the ACPAST are significant predictors of DAP-R subscales Neutral Acceptance Fear of Death and Death Avoidance. The results did not show a significant relationship between the scores on the ACPAST and the DAP-R subscales Approach Acceptance or Escape Acceptance. Thus, the ability to accept the past was a significant predictor of Fear of Death, Death Avoidance, and Neutral Acceptance. Yet, accepting the past was not a significant predictor of Approach Acceptance or Escape Acceptance.

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Section: Study Limitations and Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship Between Ego Integrity and Death Attitudes in Older Adults

Parker¹

2013

AJAP

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“…Although the term death anxiety might appear to be self-explanatory, with the implicit assumption that it is a unidimensional construct, Cicirelli's (2002) research, using the Multidimensional Fear of Death Anxiety (MFOD) scale developed by Hoelter (1979), suggested that death anxiety is in fact multidimensional (see also Florian & Kravetz, 1983). The MFOD contains eight subscales: Fear of Being Destroyed (e.g., ''I do not like the thought of being cremated''); Fear of Premature Death (e.g., ''I am afraid I will not have time to experience everything I want to'' ); Fear of Conscious Death (e.g., ''I hope more than one doctor examines me before I am pronounced dead''); Fear of the Unknown (e.g., ''I am afraid that death is the end of one's existence''); Fear of the Dying Process (e.g., ''I am afraid of experiencing a great deal of pain when I die''); Fear of the Dead (e.g., ''Discovering a dead body would be a horrifying experience''); Fear for Significant Others (e.g., ''Since everyone dies, I won't be too upset when my friends die''; reverse-coded); and Fear of the Body after Death (e.g., ''The thought of my body decaying after I die scares me'').…”

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confidence: 99%

“…After Cicirelli's (2002) elderly (M age ¼ 73 years) participants completed the MFOD (among other measures), a principal component analysis of the eight subscales revealed two components of death anxiety: unknown death anxiety and known death anxiety. Cicirelli defined unknown death anxiety as ''the fear of annihilation, the core fear of TMT'' (p. 361), and it contained the Fear of the Unknown subscale only.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Previous research rooted in TMT suggested that self-esteem (e.g., Davis, Martin, Wilee, & Voorhees, 1978), selfdoubt (e.g., Christopher, Drummond, Jones, Marek, & Therriault, 2006), religiosity (e.g., Cicirelli, 2002), and locus of control (e.g., Gilligan & Buckley, 1984) predict death anxiety. Thus, to discern the unique contributions of the different facets of aging anxiety, we used these five variables as covariates.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Death Anxiety as a Function of Aging Anxiety

2007

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To assess how different facets of aging anxiety contributed to the prediction of tangible and existential death anxiety, 167 Americans of various Christian denominations completed a battery of questionnaires. Multiple regression analyses, controlling for demographic variables and previously demonstrated predictors of death anxiety, revealed that the aging anxiety dimensions of physical appearance concern and fear of losses each positively predicted tangible death anxiety. In addition, the aging anxiety dimension of fear of losses predicted existential death anxiety. Results are discussed with respect to the multifaceted nature of death anxiety and how different forms of aging anxiety contribute to anxieties about death.

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“…Spirituality and religion for elderly African Americans are clearly about living and coping and not about preparing for the hereafter (Cicirelli 2002;Krause 2002Krause , 2003.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spiritual Well-Being Among Older African Americans in a Midwestern City

2010

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More than many other cities in America, older African Americans in Milwaukee, WI contend with negative environmental, socio-economic and health challenges in one of the most hyper-segregated cities in America. This research examines the role of spirituality and religion in their lives and the ways that spirituality and religious affiliation contribute to their quality of life. Over 500 elderly respondents aged 55-105 completed a questionnaire. The analysis found: (a) strong identification with religious institutions and high levels of attendance and participation in religious activities, (b) a substantial number felt support from fellow church members, and (c) strong reliance on spirituality and their sense of connection to God as sources of strength in coping with personal challenges. This study adds to the findings of other research done which stressed the importance of spirituality, religious practice and congregational assistance in serving critical survival functions for older African Americans. This is the first such research done, however, reporting on Milwaukee's African American older adults. This study used mixed methods of research, conducting both a descriptive statistical analysis of African American elderly in Milwaukee County to develop a profile while simultaneously gathering, where possible, qualitative data as well, in the form of narratives, written comments and field notes of first hand observations on this growing population.

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Fear of Death in Older Adults: Predictions From Terror Management Theory

Cited by 134 publications

References 32 publications

The Relationship Between Ego Integrity and Death Attitudes in Older Adults

The Relationship Between Ego Integrity and Death Attitudes in Older Adults

Death Anxiety as a Function of Aging Anxiety

Spiritual Well-Being Among Older African Americans in a Midwestern City

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