The influence of fear and avoidance of death on health-related behavior

Abstract

This study, informed by terror management theory, examined the influence of fear and avoidance of death in daily contexts on habitual health-related behavior. Four hundred adults above the age of 30 years were asked to respond to web-based questionnaires that measured their fear and avoidance of death, buffering factors to existential threats in the Tripartite Security System model (Hart, Shaver, & Goldenberg, 2005), habitual health-related behavior, frequency of holding services for deceased people, and experiences related to death. Covariance structure analysis revealed that fear of death promoted health-related behavior by eliciting buffering factors to existential threats. By contrast, conscious refusal and avoidance of death inhibited buffering factors as well as health-related behavior. These results suggested that confronting the fear of death and seeking a life that values relationships and self-esteem as a member of society are essential for promoting daily health-related behaviors.