Correlation Between Senior's Social Support and Attitude Toward Death；Mediation Effect of Self-Esteem

Abstract

In this study, the notion that self-esteem mediates social support and attitude toward death was examined. The Attitude Toward Death Scale for Adults, which was developed by Tange et al. and comprises five factors, was employed to measure attitude toward death. The sample comprised elderly people over 65 years of age who lived in continuing care retirement communities. Of the 265 questionnaires that were distributed to the elderly in these communities, valid responses were obtained from 54. Subsequently, mediation analysis was employed to analyze the data.

The findings revealed that although self-esteem was related to social support and one of the Attitude Toward Death Scale for Adults － “meaning of death for life,” the mediation effect of self-esteem was not significant. Social support promoted the positive aspects of death, but self-esteem had no effect. It was suggested that the influence of the characteristics of the target sample, the possibility of other mediation factors and the direction of social support needs to be considered.