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The present study proposed intrinsic religiosity as a moderator in the relationship between death anxiety and psychological distress among older adults. A total of 146 older adults from Midwestern churches completed an in person survey. Survey materials included the Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale (MFODS; Hoelter, 1979), the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS; Templer, 1970), the Religious Orientation Scale (ROS; Allport & Ross, 1967), and the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL; Derogatis, Lipman, Rickels, Uhlenhuth, & Covi, 1973; Green, Walkey, McCormick, & Taylor, 1988). Two hierarchal moderated regressions were conducted. Results suggested that intrinsic religiosity did not significantly moderate the relationship between older adult’s death anxiety and psychological distress. However, a bivariate correlation analysis did suggest several significant relationships among variables. For example, psychological distress was positively related to age and death anxiety. Furthermore, death anxiety (as measured by DAS) was negatively related to intrinsic religiosity. Results of the present study may help improve knowledge about how older adults feel about death and aid clinicians in addressing issues of death and bereavement. Future research should further explore what role religiosity serves in the relationship between death anxiety and psychological distress among older adults.
Advisor: | Brown, Danice |
Commitee: | Rosnick, Chris, Segrist, Dan |
School: | Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville |
Department: | Psychology |
School Location: | United States -- Illinois |
Source: | MAI 54/05M(E), Masters Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Gerontology, Psychology |
Keywords: | Death anxiety, Older adults, Psychological distress, Religiosity |
Publication Number: | 1590422 |
ISBN: | 978-1-321-79808-1 |