Relationship Between Religious Orientation and Death Anxiety in Elderly Individuals

This study aims to identify the relationship between religious orientation and death anxiety in elderly individuals aged 65 and over. This study is cross sectional in nature. It was conducted with the participation of 250 individuals aged 65 and over who were registered in Family Health Centers in the city center located in the eastern part of Turkey between February and June, 2018. The participants’ Religious Orientation Scale mean score was found to be 53.03 ± 9.91, and Religious Orientation Scale mean score was found to be significantly higher in married people, in graduates of high school, in those who had social security, and in those who lived with their spouse (p < 0.01). Death Anxiety Scale mean score was found to be 7.73 ± 2.28, and Death Anxiety Scale mean score was significantly higher in those who lived with their children (p < 0.05). No statistically significant relationship was found between Death Anxiety and Religious Orientation. Elderly individuals were found to have high religious orientation and death anxiety. It is recommended that the factors that increase death anxiety should be identified, interventions should be provided to decrease these factors, and elderly people should be provided with social services for their religious needs.