title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marjolein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Missler
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stroebe
authors.forename: Lilian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Geurtsen
authors.forename: Mirjam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mastenbroek
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chmoun
authors.forename: Karolijne
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: van der Houwen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D036262:Empirical Research; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires