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KMID : 0614420120400010059
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Mental Health & Social Work
2012 Volume.40 No. 1 p.59 ~ p.88
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Determinants of the Death Anxiety among the Elderly
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Park Sun-Ae
Hur Jun-Soo
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Abstract
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This study investigated the major determinants of the death anxiety among the elderly living in and around Seoul. This study examined demographic factors, psychosocial factors, and social activity factors as variables that might influence the death anxiety and identified any interactions these variables might have. The participants are people who are 60 years of age or older and users of facilities, such as senior welfare centers, churches, and cultural centers. After the sample was collected through convenience sampling 250 copies of the survey were included in the data analysis. The results were as following: 1) The average point from a 4-point-scale for the death anxiety was 2.32(SD = .42). 2) Examining death anxiety in accordance with demographic characteristics, it showed statistically significant difference in sex, age, and monthly income. 3) Hierarchical regression analysis found that Model Ⅲ accounted for 35.4% of the variances that influence the death anxiety. 4) The results showed that participants’ ego integrity, religious activities, sex, educational background, and monthly income have a significant effect on the death anxiety. Based on these findings, the following suggestions should be developed and practiced for social work. First, there is a need for a promotion program for ego integrity. Second, religious groups are encouraged to have a specialized department for the elderly and to assign professional social workers. Third, death education should be extended to religious organizations throughout the country. Fourth, research that helps elderly women, specially widowed women, to develop positive attitudes toward the death is encouraged. Fifth, research should be conducted to promote positive attitudes toward the death among the elderly with high economic and educational backgrounds. Sixth, practical social supports need to be provided to the elderly in the field of social work.
Finally, Developing suitable test instruments for the elderly is highly recommended.
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KEYWORD
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elderly persons, death, death anxiety
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Listed journal information
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