Exploring College Students’ Death Anxiety, Knowledge and Behavioral Intention toward Advance Care Planning
Disciplines
Community Psychology | Health Psychology | Other Psychology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Death anxiety and end-of-life planning are important yet often overlooked topics among college students. Previous research has found 40% of college students have experienced the death of a loved one (Tan, 2021) and that death education plays a significant role in shaping and preparing students’ understanding and emotional response to death (Wallace, Cohen, and Jenkins, 2019). This study explores the relationship between death anxiety, knowledge of end-of-life planning and the behavioral intentions towards advanced care planning among undergraduate students enrolled in a Death & Dying class at Kennesaw State University. A survey consisting of demographic questions, Templer’s death anxiety scale (DAS) and two sets of questions on knowledge and behavioral intention related to end of life (questions about knowledge of wills and advance care planning and 2) behavioral intention toward advance care planning and death communication) were distributed. Forty-six students completed an online anonymous survey on Qualtrics that was embedded in D2L who were enrolled in the Fall 2023 or Fall 2024 Death & Dying course. Findings suggest students have limited knowledge of end-of-life planning and low behavioral intention to engage in end-of-life planning conversations or complete an advance directive. Death Anxiety levels are moderate in this sample (M=7.8, SD 3.1), but higher than mean death anxiety scale scores for hospice workers (M=7.08, SD=2.2) and funeral home workers (M=7.45, SD =3.1). These results emphasize the need for improved death education and accessible resources to improve college students’ preparedness for making end-of life decisions. Addressing this may help to continuously promote students to be more proactive in decision-making and reduce their anxiety surrounding mortality. Future research will involve a post-test of students’ knowledge, behavioral intention, and death anxiety following the completion of the Death & Dying course.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Anisah Bagasra
Exploring College Students’ Death Anxiety, Knowledge and Behavioral Intention toward Advance Care Planning
Death anxiety and end-of-life planning are important yet often overlooked topics among college students. Previous research has found 40% of college students have experienced the death of a loved one (Tan, 2021) and that death education plays a significant role in shaping and preparing students’ understanding and emotional response to death (Wallace, Cohen, and Jenkins, 2019). This study explores the relationship between death anxiety, knowledge of end-of-life planning and the behavioral intentions towards advanced care planning among undergraduate students enrolled in a Death & Dying class at Kennesaw State University. A survey consisting of demographic questions, Templer’s death anxiety scale (DAS) and two sets of questions on knowledge and behavioral intention related to end of life (questions about knowledge of wills and advance care planning and 2) behavioral intention toward advance care planning and death communication) were distributed. Forty-six students completed an online anonymous survey on Qualtrics that was embedded in D2L who were enrolled in the Fall 2023 or Fall 2024 Death & Dying course. Findings suggest students have limited knowledge of end-of-life planning and low behavioral intention to engage in end-of-life planning conversations or complete an advance directive. Death Anxiety levels are moderate in this sample (M=7.8, SD 3.1), but higher than mean death anxiety scale scores for hospice workers (M=7.08, SD=2.2) and funeral home workers (M=7.45, SD =3.1). These results emphasize the need for improved death education and accessible resources to improve college students’ preparedness for making end-of life decisions. Addressing this may help to continuously promote students to be more proactive in decision-making and reduce their anxiety surrounding mortality. Future research will involve a post-test of students’ knowledge, behavioral intention, and death anxiety following the completion of the Death & Dying course.