COGNITIVE, ATTITUDINAL, AND AFFECTIVE ASPECTS OF DEATH AND DYING IN ADULTHOOD: IMPLICATIONS FOR CARE PROVIDERS

Abstract

Relationships among general anxiety, age, and measures of conscious and unconscious death anxiety were assessed in three groups of adult subjects varying in age and extent of contact with elderly persons. Data suggested that these relationships are complex, but that some degree of overlap exists among these factors both within and across groups. Knowledge and attitudinal data relating to death and aging suggested that similarities rather than differences should be emphasized in comparing these groups of students and care and service providers, and that there is less reason to assume a perceived conscious association between death and aging than previously believed based on current literature. These data are discussed from an applied developmental perspective.