The role of age in death attitudes

Kalish, Richard A.; Reynolds, David K.

doi:10.1080/07481187708252892

Cited by 36 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Contrary to what many have assumed, evidence shows that fear and anxiety about one's own death may actually decrease with age (Gesser, Wong, & Reker, 1987, 1988Neimeyer, 1985;Robinson & Wood, 1984;Stevens, Cooper, & Thomas, 1980;Thorson & Powell, 1989). Other well-designed studies have shown that death-related anxiety has a curvilinear pattern with decreased levels in the young and old, but increased levels in middle-aged adults (Bengtson, Cuellar, & Ragan, 1977;Kalish, 1977). Moreover, studies evidence that older adults express different concerns about death and the dying process than do younger adults.…”

Section: Empirical Findings On Death Attitudes and Older Adultsmentioning

confidence: 81%

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: Empirical Findings On Death Attitudes and Older Adultsmentioning

confidence: 81%

The Relationship Between Ego Integrity and Death Attitudes in Older Adults

Parker¹

2013

AJAP

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“…(p. 556). The observation that death thoughts and anxiety decline with age has been replicated several times in different populations and among varying age groups (Cicirelli, 2001;Fortner & Neimeyer, 1999;Kalish & Reynolds, 1977;Keller, Sherry, & Piotrowski, 1984). Several explanations for this decline have been put forth.…”

Section: Age Differences In Death-related Thoughts and Anxietymentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Yet other studies find increases in thoughts about death in older adulthood (Kalish & Reynolds, 1977). Thus, an examination of how death-related thoughts decline across the lifespan in a large, age-diverse sample is needed.…”

Section: Study Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Death across the lifespan: Age differences in death-related thoughts and anxiety

Chopik

2016

Death Studies

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Many studies have found age-related declines in death-related anxiety. Why do death-related thoughts and anxiety decline across the lifespan when exposure to, and likelihood of, death increase over time? In Study 1, a cross-sectional survey of 2,363 adults, death-related thoughts declined across the lifespan. In Study 2, a longitudinal study of 9,815 adults followed over a 4-year period, death anxiety declined across the lifespan. Further, greater social support predicted lower levels of death anxiety over time, after controlling for self-rated health and chronic illnesses. Close relationships serve emotion regulation functions to decrease death anxiety and thoughts across the lifespan.

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“…Thus, they may no longer deny death in their own life (Stillion, 1995) and start preparing activities. There is empirical evidence that older adults think more often about death but are less anxious about it than younger adults (Kalish, 1977;Nelson, 1979;Thorson & Powell, 1994). In addition, Rainey and Epting (1977) found in an age-heterogeneous sample that people who planned for their death (i.e., made preparatory arrangements for their funeral, cremation, or body donation) were significantly older than individuals who did not make such plans.…”

Section: Agementioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation for Death and Preparation for Care in Older Community-Dwelling Adults

Pinquart

Sörensen

2002

Omega (Westport)

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Preparation for one's death (e.g., having signed a will, having made preparations for one's funeral) and preparation for future care needs (e.g., having selected a source of support) were investigated in 593 United States and 582 German independently living seniors. The older adults reported higher levels of preparation for death than preparation for care. The lower level of preparation for care is interpreted as reflecting the uncertainty whether care needs will emerge in the future. Seniors who reported some preparation for death were more likely to report preparation for future care needs as well. Older, more educated, and more religious individuals were more likely to prepare for death. In addition, U.S. seniors were more likely to report some death preparation than German seniors. Limitations in activities of daily living did not predict levels of preparation for death. Implications for future research and for psychosocial interventions are discussed.

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The role of age in death attitudes

Cited by 36 publications

References 14 publications

The Relationship Between Ego Integrity and Death Attitudes in Older Adults

The Relationship Between Ego Integrity and Death Attitudes in Older Adults

Death across the lifespan: Age differences in death-related thoughts and anxiety

Preparation for Death and Preparation for Care in Older Community-Dwelling Adults

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