The religious correlates of death anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jong, Jonathan; Ross, Robert M.; Philip, Tristan; Chang, Si Hua; Simons, Naomi; Halberstadt, Jamin

doi:10.1080/2153599x.2016.1238844

Cited by 92 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 62 publications

(68 reference statements)

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“…As noted previously, spirituality and religiosity have been proposed to buffer death anxiety (Harding et al, 2005; Plante et al, 2002); however, there have been conflicting findings concerning the relationship between measures of spirituality and religiosity and death anxiety (see Ellis & Wahab, 2013; Jong et al, 2018). Here, an exploratory analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between both the Spirituality Scale — Short Form (SS-12) and the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCRFQ) and the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS).…”

Section: Transdiagnostic Processes In Social Anxietymentioning

confidence: 98%

A Comparison of Death Anxiety, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Social Anxiety Symptoms

Lowe

Harris

2019

Behav. change

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This study sought to examine the role of death anxiety as a transdiagnostic predictor of social anxiety symptomatology compared to self-esteem and intolerance of uncertainty, and to examine the relationship between measures of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity and death anxiety. A total of 591 participants, 445 females, average age 38.0 years (SD = 14.5), completed an online survey including background questions, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Social Interaction Anxiety and Social Phobia Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire, the Spirituality Scale, and the Death Anxiety Scale. No significant, independent relationship was found between death anxiety and social anxiety symptomatology, although self-esteem and intolerance of uncertainty were significant predictors of both measures of social anxiety, confirming the importance of these key transdiagnostic mediators as predictors of social anxiety symptomatology. A strong negative correlation was found between death anxiety and measures of both intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity in this general population sample not selected for high religious affiliation.

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Section: Transdiagnostic Processes In Social Anxietymentioning

confidence: 98%

A Comparison of Death Anxiety, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Social Anxiety Symptoms

Lowe

Harris

2019

Behav. change

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“…In fact, some research suggests that highly religious people may have higher levels of anxiety. In a meta‐analysis of 100 studies, Jong and colleagues found a small, but negative association between religion and death anxiety. However, 6 studies had investigated whether religion and death anxiety may have a curvilinear relationship and found some evidence for support this.…”

Section: What Can We Learn From Terror Management Theory and Existentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, 6 studies had investigated whether religion and death anxiety may have a curvilinear relationship and found some evidence for support this. That is, religion can be for some a comfort and be associated with less death anxiety . While for others, religion can be a threat.…”

Section: What Can We Learn From Terror Management Theory and Existentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fear of cancer recurrence and death anxiety

et al. 2018

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In 2013, 3 systematic reviews of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and its predictors were published. All 3 concurred that FCR is a highly prevalent problem and amongst the largest unmet needs of cancer survivors, even 5 or more years after treatment. However, between them they identified only 1 study that had investigated the relationship between death anxiety and FCR. This is surprising because it is well acknowledged that a diagnosis of cancer, a potentially life-threatening illness, is associated with a number of existential issues that give rise to psychological sequelae such as intrusive thoughts about death and other post-traumatic symptoms. Outside the cancer literature, there has recently been a call to identify death anxiety as a transdiagnostic construct that underlies many anxiety disorders even in healthy people. And yet, the relevance of death anxiety to FCR has not been studied. We explore the barriers to the study of death anxiety and FCR and the reasons that a potential link between the 2 might have important theoretical and clinical implications. We conclude that establishing the relationship between death anxiety, FCR and other existential issues is essential in order to fully understand FCR, particularly in the context of advanced disease. We further conclude that whether death anxiety underlies FCR has important clinical implications which would potentially allow us to optimise currently available evidence-based treatments.

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“…Veterinarians believe that prior to euthanasia they do not sense nor fear imminent death. Whereas humans are aware of their mortality and this selfawareness elicits crippling existential anxiety [20]. Many humans are afraid of death, both of the unknown and of the actual dying process.…”

Section: 22mentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatment, Palliative Care or Euthanasia? Comparing End of Life Issues in Veterinary and Human

Re¹,

Jw²

2017

Preprint

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This is the second of a series of two papers comparing the end of life issues in human and veterinary medicine. We outline the main differences between human and animal patients such as patient communication, finance and 'conflicts of interest' between animal, owner and veterinarian. We discuss striking similarities between human and veterinary issues such as assessing quality of life and the primary role of the attending veterinarian or doctor being the welfare and care of the patient. This paper takes the form of an ethical argument in favour of allowing euthanasia in human medicine, by providing insights into end of life issues for humans from an independent veterinary perspective. Veterinary surgeons are well trained in the ethics of euthanasia and put it to good use in the best interest of their animal patients. Doctors in the UK are limited and unwilling to put forward a case for the option of euthanasia for those patients who face a slow and agonizing death. With advances in medical science being able to significantly prolong the dying process, autonomy for the patient demands a review of the law regarding patient choice in the UK.

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The religious correlates of death anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: This document is the author's post-print version, incorporating any revisions agreed during the peer-review process. Some differences between the published version and this version may remain and you are advised to consult the published version if you wish to cite from it.

Cited by 92 publications

References 62 publications

A Comparison of Death Anxiety, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Social Anxiety Symptoms

A Comparison of Death Anxiety, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Social Anxiety Symptoms

Fear of cancer recurrence and death anxiety

Treatment, Palliative Care or Euthanasia? Comparing End of Life Issues in Veterinary and Human

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