Date Awarded
1983
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Department
Education
Abstract
Several writers have suggested a similarity between the loss process experienced by the dying person and the loss process experienced by individuals making changes in their lives. This concept has been incorporated into several areas of therapy yet little research has been done to substantiate the idea. A sense of well-being has also been suggested as important within the Existential concept that death resolution enhances mental health and functioning. This study explores the possible relationship between death attitudes and both openness to change and sense of well-being. Three hypotheses were investigated: (1) there is an inverse relationship between death anxiety and measures of openness to change, (2) there is an inverse relationship between death anxiety and measures of a sense of well-being and (3) there is a positive inter-relationship between measures of openness to change and measures of a sense of well-being.;To test these hypotheses, a variety of scales considered representative of openness to change and a sense of well-being were extracted from three instruments; the California Psychological Inventory, the Adjective Check List and the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule. The Templer Death Anxiety Scale was used to measure death attitudes.;The scales were randomly combined into a single instrument and administered to 191 adult individuals from five diverse occupational and age groups. These groups were chosen for the purpose of gaining heterogeneity within the total sample measured. Participation was voluntary and subjects were naive as to the specific variables being measured. Statistical analysis consisted of subjecting the hypotheses to a Pearson Product-Moment correlation.;Results for the total sample (N = 191) indicated that: (1) There was no relationship between death anxiety and measure of openness to change except for the n Change Scale from the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule. Significance was obtained between this scale and death anxiety in an inverse direction. (2) There was a significant inverse relationship between death anxiety and measures of a sense of well-being. (3) There was a significant positive interrelationship between 14 of the 15 scales used to measure openness to change and sense of well-being.;Results for each of the five groups were also evaluated and included in the discussion. Directions for future research were suggested.
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.25774/w4-8j2v-9n61
Rights
© The Author
Recommended Citation
Moore, Joan Ruth., "A study of the relationship of death anxiety to openness toward change and sense of well-being" (1983). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. William & Mary. Paper 1539618369.
https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.25774/w4-8j2v-9n61
