Examination of the relationship between death anxiety, loneliness and life satisfaction in the elderly

The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between death anxiety, loneliness levels and life satisfaction of elderly individuals. The sample of the research consists of a total of 305 volunteer participants, 147 women and 158 men. As a data collection tool in the study; Death Anxiety Scale, Loneliness Scale for the Elderly and Life Satisfaction Scale were used. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyzes of the research were conducted using SPSS 24.00 program. Relational scanning model was used in this research. First, normality analysis was applied to the numerical data and it was seen that the data series showed normal distribution. For the demographic variables discussed within the scope of the research, Independent Groups t Test was used to detect differences in binary groupings, and One-way ANOVA test was used to detect differences in more than two groupings. Pearson Correlation was used to determine the direction and strength of the relationship between death anxiety, loneliness and life satisfaction. Within the scope of the research, demographic variables were first focused on and it was observed that the factors such as gender, education level, income level, number of children and age caused significant differences in the death anxiety, loneliness levels and life satisfaction of elderly individuals. As a result of the analyzes carried out to determine the relationship between the relevant variables, it was seen that there was no significant relationship between death anxiety and general loneliness, while it was seen that death anxiety was positively related to emotional loneliness and negatively related to social loneliness, while no significant relationship was found between death anxiety and life satisfaction. The findings were compared with the studies in the literature, discussed in detail in the discussion section, and suggestions were given for future researchers.