The Effect of Group Identification on Death Anxiety: The Chain Mediation Role of Close Relationships and Self-Esteem

Abstract

Based on the terror management theory (TMT), this study integrated self-esteem and close relationships to explore the effects of group identification on death anxiety. Five hundred and four participants completed the Death Anxiety, Rosenberg Self-Esteem, Social Identity, and Inclusion of Other in the Self scales via online platforms. There were significant correlations among group identification, close relationship, self-esteem, and death anxiety. Group identification had a significant negative predictive effect on death anxiety. Specifically, group identification affects death anxiety through two pathways: the separate mediating role of self-esteem and the serial mediation pathway of close relationships → self-esteem. Our study provides direct evidence that group identification relieves death anxiety. The results showed that the alleviating function of group identification was mediated by self-esteem and close relationships. This study provides a new perspective concerning TMT as a defense mechanism against death anxiety.

How Does Self-esteem Alleviate Death Anxiety in Youth Populations? The Mediating Role of Security

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Coping with mortality salience: the role of connection thinking and afterlife beliefs in Chinese context

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Differences in proximal and intimacy-related defense mechanisms among patients with cancer in different psychological stages of dying

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