노인의 죽음준비 정도와 사회적 지지가 죽음 불안에 미치는 영향

Effects of the Degree of Death Preparation in the Elderly and Social Support on Death Anxiety: Focused on the Mediating Effects of Attitude towards Death

(Purpose) To acquire basic data on the realization of well-dying in the elderly, this study analyzed the effects of the elderly’s perception on the degree of death preparation, social support, and attitude towards death on death anxiety by utilizing the structural equation model. (Design/methodology/approach) In this study, a research model was established and analyzed that the preparation of death and social support directly affect the attitude and anxiety of death, and that the preparation of death and social support directly affect the anxiety of death through the attitude toward death. (Findings) The analysis revealed that the degree of death preparation and social support do not have direct effects, while attitude towards death directly affects death anxiety. These results indicate that future efforts to positively change the elderly’s attitude towards death are important to reduce death anxiety. (Research implications or Originality) To realize these efforts, a system to provide high-quality services for well-dying should be established based on the change of perception on the subject. Moreover, it is necessary to develop and distribute differentiated well-dying programs by age group to promote a positive attitude towards death, and cultivate a ready attitude to help the elderly choose a dignified death through the preparation for advance medical life prolongation.