Cross-Cultural Comparison of Older Adults' Emotional Responses Toward Death: A Pilot Study

Purpose:

The current study reports preliminary findings from a pilot sample that sought to compare the emotional responses of older adults toward death in Egyptian and Spanish cultures.

Method:

A cohort of 90 eligible older adults from Egypt and Spain were recruited using a cross-sectional descriptive design.

Results:

Egyptian participants recorded a significantly higher score in approaching acceptance of death compared to their Spanish counterparts (mean = 21.57, SD = 9.4 and mean = 13.51, SD = 7.11, respectively). Post-hoc test showed there were differences in levels of valence (F[1,86] = 23.88, p < 0.001), indicating that older adults in Spain perceived such images as more unpleasant compared to Egyptian older adults. A significant difference related to death attitude profile scale was noted between Egyptian and Spanish older adults.

Conclusion:

Egyptian and Spanish older adults demonstrated different attitudes toward death in addition to differences in death anxiety and depression. This preliminary study validates the importance of developing effective nursing strategies to lessen anxiety and fear about death. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, xx(x), xx–xx.]