Death anxiety among terminally ill inpatients

Objective: In spite of the certainty of death, people seem unable to escape anxiety at the prospect of it. Death anxiety contributes to important emotional and behavioral consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of death anxiety with variables such as severity of illness, depression, and religious beliefs.

Methods: The study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The data were collected by using a demographic questionnaire, the Templar Death Anxiety Scale, the Beck Depression Questionnaire, the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale and the Religious Attitude Questionnaire. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors that inşuenced the degree of death anxiety.

Results: A group of one hundred and fifty persons, (50 severely ill patients, 50 relatives, and 50 normal controls) completed the questionnaires. Death anxiety score was 7.2 in attendants, 5.3 in patients, and 4.4 in the control group. Depression and severity of illness had a positive correlation with death anxiety (p<0.05). Religious beliefs had a negative correlation with death anxiety (p<0.05). Religious beliefs and depression had stronger predictive value esspecially in severely ill patients.

Conclusions: Among the factors studied depression and severity of illness had a significant positive and religious beliefs had a significant negative correlation with levels of death anxiety.