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BMC Geriatrics
Published in: BMC Geriatrics 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Anxiety | Research article

Relationship between meaning in life and death anxiety in the elderly: self-esteem as a mediator

Authors: Jiaxi Zhang, Jiaxi Peng, Pan Gao, He Huang, Yunfei Cao, Lulu Zheng, Danmin Miao

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Death anxiety is a common phenomenon in all societies. Older adults may be more prone to death anxiety than their younger counterparts; however, death anxiety among older adults is not well understood. This study explores the relationship between meaning in life, self-esteem, and death anxiety in senior citizens in China.

Methods

A total of 283 older adults participated in this study; data were collected via the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Death Anxiety Scale.

Results

Results show that the dimensions of meaning in life, presence of meaning (r = − 0.43, p < 0.01), search for meaning (r = − 0.31, p < 0.01), and self-esteem (r = − 0.54, p < 0.01) were each negatively correlated with death anxiety. Regression analysis reveals that meaning in life significantly predicted self-esteem and death anxiety (F = 45.70, p < 0.01; R2 = 0.33). Path analysis indicated that self-esteem either completely or partially mediated the effects of meaning in life on death anxiety in older adults.

Conclusions

Overall, meaning in life appears to be significantly correlated with death anxiety in older adults, and self-esteem can mediate this effect.
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Metadata
Title
Relationship between meaning in life and death anxiety in the elderly: self-esteem as a mediator
Authors
Jiaxi Zhang
Jiaxi Peng
Pan Gao
He Huang
Yunfei Cao
Lulu Zheng
Danmin Miao
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Anxiety
Published in
BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-019-1316-7

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