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Cited by 111Death Anxiety and Social ExclusionDeath, Funerary Practices, and MourningAging and Gerontology Research

Exploring Death Anxiety among Elderly People: A Literature Review and Empirical Investigation

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Missler, Marjolein, Stroebe, Margaret, Geurtsen, Lilian, Mastenbroek, Mirjam, Chmoun, Sara, Van Der Houwen, Karolijne·2012·OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying
DOI 10.2190/om.64.4.e
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Abstract

Given the growing number of elderly persons in society and concerns about their health and well-being, the aim was to review the available literature on their death anxiety, and to explore features of this experience among a small sample of older men and women in care facilities. In both the review and empirical parts of this study, components and correlates of death anxiety were investigated. The review revealed limited research focus on death anxiety among the elderly, particularly among those in institutions, but suggested both components and correlates for inclusion in our empirical study. Results showed that, among our elderly participants in an assisted living facility (N = 49; age range: 60–96 years), there were higher levels of fear for others and of the dying process than for fear of the unknown. Notably, among the correlates identified, fear for significant others was associated with poor physical health; fear of the dying process was related to low self-esteem, little purpose in life, and poor mental well-being. Gender differences in death anxiety were found: women showed greater fear for the death of loved ones and for the consequences of their own death on these loved ones, than did men. These patterns are discussed in the light of concerns about the welfare of elderly persons; scientific implications are also considered.

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Authors
Missler, M., Stroebe, M., Geurtsen, L., Mastenbroek, M., Chmoun, S., & Van Der Houwen, K.
Affiliations
  • Utrecht University (NL)
  • University of Groningen (NL)
  • Aafje, Psychogeriatric & Somatic Nursing Home, The Netherlands
  • Tilburg University (NL)
  • Youth ACT East, Department Hengelo, The Netherlands
  • Statistics Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands
Corresponding author
Stroebe, Margaret
ORCID
Venue
OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2012-06
Volume
64
Issue
4
Pages
357-379
ISSN
  • 0030-2228 (ISSN-L)
  • 1541-3764
DOI
10.2190/om.64.4.e
OpenAlex
W2324658329
Cited by
111
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3
FWCI
3.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (publishedVersion)
  • Research portal (Tilburg University) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
Keywords
fear of death, older adults, fear of dying, fear of the unknown, assisted living, institutionalized elderly, self-esteem, meaning of life, psychological well-being, physical health, gender differences, older men and women
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anxiety, Attitude to Death, Attitude to Health, Depression, Fear, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Concept, Sex Factors, Caregivers, Empirical Research, Assisted Living Facilities

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