Death across the lifespan: Age differences in death-related thoughts and anxiety.

TitleDeath across the lifespan: Age differences in death-related thoughts and anxiety.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsChopik, WJ
JournalDeath Stud
Volume41
Issue2
Pagination69-77
Date Published2017 02
ISSN Number1091-7683
KeywordsAdolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Anxiety, Attitude to Death, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Thinking, Young Adult
Abstract

Many studies have found age-related declines in death-related anxiety. Why do death-related thoughts and anxiety decline across the lifespan when exposure to, and likelihood of, death increase over time? In Study 1, a cross-sectional survey of 2,363 adults, death-related thoughts declined across the lifespan. In Study 2, a longitudinal study of 9,815 adults followed over a 4-year period, death anxiety declined across the lifespan. Further, greater social support predicted lower levels of death anxiety over time, after controlling for self-rated health and chronic illnesses. Close relationships serve emotion regulation functions to decrease death anxiety and thoughts across the lifespan.
URLhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07481187.2016.1206997
DOI10.1080/07481187.2016.1206997
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27573253?dopt=Abstract
Short TitleDeath Studies
Alternate JournalDeath Stud
Citation Key8592
PubMed ID27573253