The relationship between level of death anxiety and various self and identity variables in elderly people

Death is often perceived as the opposite of life. In fact, life and death exist as two different parts of the same whole. From the moment the individual is born, his mortality is the only unchangeable fact that accompanies him. Accepting death as a natural life event can help lead a meaningful life. On the other hand, trying to cope with the anxiety of escaping from the fact that he is mortal may consume most of his life energy. Old age which is the last stage of life, includes biological, cognitive, social and psychological destructions. Therefore, aging is the most reminding period of death. From this point of view, it is aimed to examine the self and identity variables and socio-demographic variables in relation with the death anxiety in elderly individuals. For this purpose, individuals at the age of 60 and above were studied (n = 184). Socio-Demographic Information Form, Standardized Mini Mental Test, Death Attitude Profile-Revised, Religiosity Scale and Relational-Interdependent Self-Construal were applied to the participants. Analysis of the data revealed that the level of escape acceptance of the ones who have no children and of the ones with chronic disease was significantly higher than those who have children and those without chronic disease. In addition, the level of fear of death and death avoidance was significantly higher in patients with chronic disease. According to results, lower level of self-esteem predicted an increase in escape acceptance level of death attitude. Finally, the level of neutral acceptance and approach acceptance is associated positively with the level of relational interdependent self and the levels of affect and effect dimensions of religiosity. It can be thought that self-esteem is more related to escape acceptance attitude, relational interdependent self and religiosity are associated with neutral acceptance and approach acceptance in death attitude. Keywords: Death anxiety, old age, self-esteem, religiosity, relational interdependent self