title: Remembering the initial realization of one's own mortality.
abstract: Research shows many effects of reminding people of their mortality; however, little is known about whether people recall the moment they first realized they will die, or what factors are associated with whether they do. Data from 1,552 undergraduates and a community sample of 149 adults found that about one third of participants reported remembering the moment. Individuals who recall the moment have slightly lower self-esteem, are more likely to believe in a soul, and are more prone to dissociation than those who do not. Further research into how recollection of the moment relates to psychological well-being is recommended.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona , USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soenke
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Elizabeth S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Focella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult