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Golden Research Thoughts ISSN 2231-5063 Volume-3, Issue-1, July-2013

Abstract:Death anxiety is the state in which the individual experiences apprehension, worry or fear related to deathor dying. The aim of the present research is to investigate about death anxiety among the aged. 50 samples (25 malesand 25 females)of age group above 60 years were selected on the bases of stratified random sampling in and aroundChidambaram town.TEMPLER DEATH ANXIETY SCALE was used to find their level of death anxiety.Independent t test was used to find the significant difference regarding death anxiety. The result showed that thereis a significant difference between male and female in death anxiety.

Keyword: Death anxiety.

INTRODUCTIONThe time we live in have been called the age of

anxiety but probably every age or eraof human history couldbe designated on the same way. Anxiety fear and worry seem

to be permanent parts of the human condition.Death is a powerful human concern that has been

conceptualized as a powerful motivating force behind muchcreative expression and philosophic inquiry throughout theages.

.Death anxiety is a term used to conceptualize theapprehension generated by death awareness (Abdel-Khalek,2005). Humans are unique in that they must learn to live andadapt to the consciousness of their own finiteness (Becker,1973). Thus, a major task for cultural systems is to provide asymbolic structure that addresses death and providesmeaning for its occurrence and a context for itstranscendence (Becker 1973; Kbler-Ross, 2002)

Death anxiety is the morbid, abnormal or persistent

fear of death or dying. The British National Health Servicedefines death anxiety as a feeling of dread, apprehension orsolicitude (anxiety) when one thinks of the process of dying,or ceasing to be or what happens after death. It is also referredto as thanatophobia (fear of death) and necrophobia (fear ofdeath or the dead). Lower ego integrity, more physical

problems, and more psychological problems are predictiveof higher levels of death anxiety in elderly people. RobertLangs distinguishes three types of death anxiety:

1.Predatory death anxiety

Predatory death anxiety is the most basic form ofdeath anxiety, with its origins stemming from the firstunicellular organisms' set of adaptive resources. Predatory

death anxiety arises from the fear of being harmed.

2.Predation or predator death anxietyPredation or predator death anxiety is a form of

death anxiety that arises from an individual physically and/ormentally harming another. This form of death anxiety is oftenaccompanied by unconscious guilt.

3.Existential death anxietyExistential death anxiety is the basic knowledge

and awareness that natural life must end. It is said that

existential death anxiety directly correlates to language; thatis, language has created the basis for this type of deathanxiety through communicative and behavioral changes.However, existential death anxiety, unlike predatory death

anxiety, does not involve episodes of psychological orphysical harm.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

To determine whether there is any significantdifference between the aged groups on their death anxiety.

HYPOTHESIS:There may be a significant difference in the death

anxiety among the aged males and females.

RESEARCH METHODS:

Survey research design was adopted and samplesize of the study was 50 (25 aged males and 25 aged females).

They were selected on the basis of stratified samplingtechnique. Initially, 58 samples were administered and out ofthem, responses of 8 samples were omitted since their datawas incomplete. Independent sample't' test was applied tofind the difference. Templar death anxiety scale was used tofind the level of death anxiety.

Description of the tool:

This scale was developed by DONALD TEMPLERin 1961.this scale consist of 15 statements with true or falseresponses. This scale was designed to measure therespondents anxiety about death. The scale consists ofstatements like I am fear dying etc. this is a scale whichcontains good test and retest reliability and validity.

Psychometric characteristics of DAS show 0.87 reliabilitydone by attest retest method which is a similar conclusion totemplar (1970). The scales internal validity, correlationcoefficient were computed between the items of the scale andthe total DAS score. Thus all the items were significant at0.01 while coefficient totality have an average level.

AdministrationThe subject was seated comfortably. Death anxiety

scale was administered by giving the following instruction.If a statement is true or mostly true to the individual, they

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A Study On Death Anxiety Among The Aged Group

S. Suganya And P. Chandra BoseM.phil research scholar Department of psychology Annamalai UniversityPhD Research scholar Department of psychology Annamalai University

7/27/2019 A Study on Death Anxiety Among the Aged Grou

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were instructed to circle T. If a statement is false or mostlyfalse as applied to the individual, has to circle F

Scoring:There is no right or wrong answers. The death

anxiety scale is scored by assigning a score of one to eachitem correctly answer. Items are scored by summing theitems. the score range are between 0 15.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Table 1 showing the mean, standard deviation, t valueand p value between the aged groups (males and

females) on death anxiety

DISCUSSION

Ha: There is a significant difference in the death anxietyamong males and females.

It is inferred from the above table that the meanvalue (28.05) of the females is higher than the males (17.10).This mean difference is statistically significant since thecalculated't' value is significant (p